Consultations & Dialogue
The Canadian Campaign for Equal Shared Co-Parenting (CCESP) is committed to a reform process that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all family members. We believe that true legislative reform requires listening to all voices—especially those who protect the most vulnerable.
Broadening the Conversation: Consultations with Women's Safety & Child Protection Agencies
In late 2025, we convened Phase II of our consultation process, inviting agencies from the Violence Against Women (VAW) and Child Protection sectors. While this does not imply their endorsement of our campaign, it marks a critical step forward in open, transparent dialogue. We engaged in frank discussions about safety, risk assessment, and the nuances of shared parenting.
The consultation summary itself can be downloaded below. The key points are:
Diverse Participation
We engaged with leadership and delegates from over 15 agencies, including women's shelters, victim services, and child protection organizations.
Common Ground Found
Participants broadly acknowledged that, absent abuse or neglect, children thrive with the support of both parents. There was strong consensus on core principles like gender neutrality and voluntary participation.
Focus on Safety
A major focus of the dialogue was ensuring robust safety mechanisms. We discussed how existing family violence provisions in the Divorce Act (s.16) and evidence-based risk assessments can protect survivors of coercive control.
Responding to Concerns
We have provided detailed responses to these concerns about safety and legal thresholds to clarify how the proposed amendments align with trauma-informed practices.
The Public Mandate: Overwhelming Support Across Canada
While we can still work with stakeholders to refine the details of the legislation, the direction of the reform is supported by a strong majority of Canadians.
To gauge public sentiment, in 2022, we commissioned a poll by Nanos Research. The results confirm that equal shared co-parenting is not a niche issue—it is a mainstream expectation for modern Canadian families.
Overwhelming Support
77% of Canadians support legislation for a presumption of equal shared co-parenting.
Growing Momentum
Support has risen by 7% compared to polling from 5 years ago, signaling a cultural shift toward co-parenting equality.
Consensus and Universal Appeal
There is support for ESP across all regions of Canada, all political affiliations and between both sexes. It is a unifying issue, not a divisive one.