Helen Ward is a passionate advocate for children and families in Canada. For over two decades, she has led the Kids First Parent Association of Canada, a volunteer-run organization dedicated to promoting policies that support strong parent-child relationships. She testifies about systemic issues in Canadian child and family policies, arguing that current approaches often discriminate against the parent-child relationship. She discusses problems with childcare funding, education systems, and child protection services, advocating for policies that empower families and prioritize children’s best interests.
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The transcript for this witness testimony is currently in production by our volunteers. It will be available soon here on this page and as a downloadable PDF.
Summary
In her testimony, Helen Ward presents a comprehensive critique of current Canadian child and family policies. She argues that these policies often discriminate against the parent-child relationship and fail to prioritize children’s best interests. Ward begins by emphasizing the importance of parent-child attachment, citing research that shows parents are children’s “best bet” for healthy development and protection from harm.
Ward identifies several systemic issues in Canadian policy, including a power imbalance between the state and families, problematic definitions of productivity and gender equity, and the influence of tax-funded lobbyists on public discourse. She criticizes the push for universal daycare, arguing that it often disregards women’s choices and fails to provide high-quality care for children.
The testimony covers five areas of discriminatory laws: education funding, childcare policy, child protection services, mature minor consent laws, and regulations on products that harm children. Ward expresses concern about the lack of parental control in education, the inequitable distribution of childcare funding, and the broad powers given to child protection services.
Ward also discusses the potential dangers of mature minor consent laws, which allow minors to make medical decisions without parental involvement. She highlights cases where these laws have led to tragic outcomes for young people struggling with addiction or mental health issues.
Throughout her testimony, Ward advocates for policies that empower families and respect parental rights. She recommends strengthening parent-child attachments and building strong community connections as key strategies for ensuring children’s safety and well-being. Ward concludes by calling for a reevaluation of policies that she believes are crowding out parents and colonizing the family unit.
Credentials
Helen Ward is a passionate advocate for children and families in Canada. For over two decades, she has led the Kids First Parent Association of Canada, a volunteer-run organization dedicated to promoting policies that support strong parent-child relationships. Ward’s expertise spans a wide range of family-related issues, including childcare, education, and child protection services. Her work involves providing advice to parents, preparing legal actions to challenge discriminatory laws, and educating the public about the importance of family attachment. Ward’s dedication to empowering parents and protecting children’s rights has made her a respected voice in discussions about Canadian family policy.
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