Dads fighting for their right

A group of dads in disguise took to the streets of downtown Edmonton yesterday, shouting loud and clear for their right to parent their children.

Fathers 4 Justice, a group dedicated to changing the Divorce Act so both mom and dad have equal rights to children in a divorce, are on a cross-country tour to the nation’s capital.

When the group arrives in Ottawa Oct. 7, they plan to take their case straight to the House of Commons, in an effort to give dads a fighting chance in custody battles.

The Private Member’s Motion M-483 is being introduced in the House by MP Maurice Vellacott and if the dads get their way, will introduce equal parenting rights after divorce.

Organizer Jerry Bernard shouted to lunch-breakers in Churchill Square yesterday afternoon, informing the unaware about the plight of single fathers.

“I’m a divorced father. It’s been 10 years and my kids are teenagers now, but I’ve been fighting in court all this time,” he said. “It’s cost both my ex and I thousands of dollars, when really, it should have been automatically equal.”

Group spokeswoman Melanie Greenfield said  the laws in place favour mothers in the event of a divorce.

“Generally mom gets the kids and dad has to fight to even see them at all. It’s terrible.”
Passing by with his two children, Shaun Smith said he was intrigued by what the group of dads, many dressed as superheroes, had to say.

“I love being a stay-at-home dad,” he said, holding his seven-month-old son, Joshua, to his chest. “I think the legislation that’s in now is poorly worded. I think that what these guys are going for is equity, not going overboard for men’s rights.”