For Immediate Release
November 1, 2007

McGuinty Must Fix Adoption Debacle
PC MPP Sterling will introduce Private Members Bill to amend legislation, introduce disclosure veto

(Toronto, ON) - Ontario Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory and PC MPP Norm Sterling (Carleton-Mississippi Mills) today called on Dalton McGuinty to accept a recent Ontario Superior Court decision confirming that the province's flawed adoption legislation is a gross violation of people's privacy rights.

"It might be easy for Mr. McGuinty to tune out the concerns of opposition parties, worried parents or adult adoptees but he does not have the luxury of tuning out the decisions of the Ontario Superior Court," said Tory. "Today we are calling for Mr. McGuinty to accept the decision of Justice Belobaba, end the inconsiderate treatment of these families and confirm that he will not appeal Justice Belobaba's decision."

During a news conference at Queen's Park today, Tory announced that Sterling will introduce a Private Member's Bill that would provide a comprehensive disclosure veto for parents and adult adoptees who want to preserve their privacy. This will eliminate the violation of privacy rights contained in the original legislation that Justice Belobaba found to be unconstitutional. At the same time, Sterling's bill will allow for the release of non-identifying medical and social histories for those who request it.

"If there is any good news in this sorry tale it is that it is not too late for Mr. McGuinty to acknowledge his mistake, apologize for it and actually get on with fixing this situation," said Tory. "If he moves quickly to fix it, privacy rights will be protected and access to information will be significantly increased, a balanced, progressive result he could have had years ago if he had listened."

Tory and Sterling were joined today by Joy Cheskes, one of four individuals who challenged the legislation passed by the Ontario Legislature in 2005. The bill put in place a process for the unsealing of adoption records despite objections from parents, adult adoptees and the Ontario Privacy Commissioner, who has also warned of the need for a disclosure veto. At the same time, Tory, Sterling and other members of the Ontario PC Caucus warned that the legislation failed to provide adequate protection for parents or grown children who want to preserve their privacy. During committee hearings in 2005, Sterling proposed an amendment to the legislation that would have provided these protections but was voted down by the McGuinty Liberals.

"It is our sincere hope that, in the interest of privacy, in the interest of fairness, and in the interest of bringing some closure and balance to what is a painful issue to many, Dalton McGuinty will support this improved adoption bill and ensure it passes quickly," said Sterling.

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For more information:
Brendan Howe
(416) 325-0412