Department of Justice

MINISTER OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCES RESPONSE
TO RECOMMENDATIONS ON INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTION

OTTAWA, November 4, 1998 -- Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, released today the Government’s Response to the Fourth Report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade entitled "International Child Abduction: Issues for Reform."

Minister McLellan and Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, welcomed recommendations of the Report, which addresses issues relating to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the RCMP Missing Children’s Registry, police intervention, training, extradition, custody orders, border control, passport control, restrictions on international travel, financial assistance, information and expertise.

"The abduction of children tears apart families already harmed by family breakdown; inevitably, those most hurt are the children themselves," said Minister McLellan. "The health, well-being and safety of Canadian children is a fundamental goal and responsibility of the Government of Canada. We will work to ensure that actions in response to the committee recommendations are taken quickly."

"In our changed world, it is the most vulnerable, in particular children, who are most at risk, who pay the highest price, and who, as a result, demand close attention," said Minister Axworthy. "For this reason, Canada is committed to making the welfare of children a top priority in pursuing our human security agenda."

The government will, for example, work towards establishing an accurate statistical data system on international child abduction; collaborate with concerned agencies and organizations to provide training for law enforcement agencies and other front-line personnel, such as airline workers, to improve response time and detection; encourage a system of mandatory reporting of missing children to the Canadian Police Information Centre; examine ways to improve identification of children in travel documents; and clarify what should be considered criminal behaviour under the Criminal Code.

Canada will also continue to promote the Hague Convention and other existing treaties to widen the network of participating countries, and will consider establishing an annual conference on the matter.

Canada has taken a lead role in developing programs aimed at preventing international parental abductions. Canada proposed the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and was one of the original four countries to ratify the treaty in 1983. The treaty, to which 53 countries now belong, is based on the principle that the interests of children are best served by ensuring their prompt return to their state of "habitual residence." Each party to the Convention has designated Central Authorities that are responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Convention.

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