History

The Canadian Equal Parenting Council (CEPC) is a national coalition of 42 organizations across Canada.

        The CEPC was created in 2004 to respond to a need for a national voice for children, parents and extended family, particularly in issues arising from family breakup. It is a nationally-incorporated, not for profit organization which advocates on behalf of parents and the divorce community. Delegates from member organizations elect a Board of Directors and president at an annual general meeting. The Board of Directors selects committee chairs to handle key functions. All of our directors are volunteers. Donations to CEPC are used to educate the public, politicians and professionals on successful, non-adversarial alternatives to adversarial, legalistic and incentives to conflict built into conventional, regressive family law and practice.

The CEPC also aims to provide national organizational support for member and other organizations which help vulnerable people who are suffering through divorce processes.

Our History

In the winter of 2001, David Shackleton, publisher and editor of Everyman Magazine, approached individuals demonstrating sustained leadership within the family rights movement.

A series of conference calls result.

The first was held on Sunday, March 3, 2002.  The cost of these calls is generously underwritten by Trevor Byrne, the owner of the Men’s Divorce Centre (Toronto).

After much discussion, a Statement of Goals is adopted, and other aims.

Toronto family lawyer Gene Colman led in moving the organization forward and maintaining the momentum. The first co-presidents were Bob McGuire and Maureen Geddes.

Many proven organization leaders played important roles in moving the Council forward, united in spirit and purpose.

We recognize their important work and thank them for laying the foundation for this coalition.

The Canadian Equal Parenting Council (CEPC) was incorporated on January 12, 2004, as a federal not-for-profit corporation.

Since that time CEPC has become central to the issue of divorce law reform and to redefining the issue as that of equal parenting versus the existing sole custody preferences.