New Poll Shows Overwhelming Support for Equal Parenting Bill

MEDIA RELEASE

A new public opinion poll shows public support for equal shared parenting and a Bill in federal parliament is at 72% across Canada. The poll, by Vision Critical, was Monday March 17th.
Opposition to equal shared parenting remains very low.
Overall support (adding strong support and somewhat support together) was at 72% (strong support was 42% and somewhat support at 30%). Opposition at 10% (strong opposition was at 4%), with those neither supportive or opposed at 18%. The results are considered accurate within 2.5% 19 times out of 20. Common polls ask 1000 Canadians, but this was unusual in asking 1500 Canadians.
The question asked was: “As you may or may not be aware, a bill is being debated in Parliament that would affect rulings about child custody for divorcing parents. This bill would require courts to rule in favour of equal shared parenting except in cases involving proven neglect or abuse. In other words, this bill would make it clearer that in cases where there is no proven neglect or abuse, both parents would have shared custody of the children. So then, aside from cases of abuse or neglect, do you strongly support, somewhat support or oppose federal and provincial legislation to create a presumption of equal parenting in child custody cases?”
Previous polls, Nanos (2009) and SES (2001) have shown close to the same public support for child custody reforms and changes.
Regionally, support ranged from 60% in SK to 79% in AB. 69% female; 75% male. 71% for 18-34-year-olds and same for 35-54, with 74% total support for those 55+. By income, support ranges from 67% for those with less than $50K to 74% for those with $100K+. Party affiliation total support is 61% for those who lean BQ, 71% for Green, 72% for Liberals and NDP and 76% for Conservatives.
Total opposition: from 4% in AB to 28% in SK. 8% male; 12% female. 11% – 18-34-year-olds; 10% for 35-54s; 9% for 55+. 9% for CPC and NDP supporters; 10% for Libs; 11% for Greens and 16% for BQ.
“Politicians should respect overwhelming public support for equal parenting reforms over 15 years and pass this bill’s long overdue measures to fix a broken, inaccessible family law system,” said CEPC president Glenn Cheriton.
The Canadian Equal Parenting Council (CEPC) is a national non-profit parent advocacy federation which is sponsoring Bill C-560, which aims to reform the Divorce Act so that parents have a presumption of equal shared parenting unless proved unfit.
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The full poll results, summary table is here. (pdf)