New rights for singles, same-sex couples in Nfld. adoption laws
CBC News Online Staff, CBC.CA
April 11, 2002

ST. JOHN'S - Advocates of Newfoundland and Labrador's revised adoption laws say they could be a possible blueprint for the entire country. Others say the changes are welcome but don't go far enough.
The revised laws will replace a 50-year-old statute, and will implement new rules to let single parents and same sex couples adopt, and give children a greater voice.

Marilyn McCormack, with the provincial Health and Community Services Department, says the new laws are geared toward children. She says records can be opened if all parties agree, new medical facts can be shared, and children as young as five will be counselled about adoption.

"I think they have a right to say and understand what this means if they go through an adoption process," said McCormack.

Judith Grove, executive director of the Adoption Council of Canada, says the legislation is progressive, especially in its inclusion of common-law and same sex couples.

"We need a great variety of potential families and I think taking applications from anyone who is interested is the best way to find those families," said Grove.

She says Newfoundland's revised law could have an effect on adoption in other provinces.

"That's something a lot of us have been talking about but nobody's ever actually put into legislation, so this is a first. We'll be watching it very closely I think."

But some adoptees say they hoped the revisions would go further.
Kim Snook of St. John's was adopted. She says children and parents still face barriers in the search for birth families.

Snook says she thinks adoptive parents should receive a letter when their child reaches legal age, providing information on the location of the birth family.

Barb McGrath is searching for the child she gave up for adoption when she was 17. She says the new laws apply only to people who adopt after it's been passed. "I don't think that's fair. From the beginning, the government has always said it's protecting the mothers. I am a mother, and I don't need protecting."

The revised adoption law should be in place by June.

Written by CBC News Online staff

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