To my right is the decision we received by the Family Court in Calgary, Alberta. This decision was read to us in open court on Feb. 9, 2001
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Page 4: The Decision
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Shirley Kemna
Ms. Kemna is a friend of the Grandparents from the time that they lived in Sundre, before they moved to Didsbury. They visited several times a week in Sundre and she often observed them with the Child. She never witnessed any inappropriate discipline, had no concern about the quality of food they served and, although she has a grandson who is on Ritalin for attention deficit, she never considered that it would be required for the Child. She noted that the Child spent a great deal of time with his Grandfather, doing things with the three little dogs and working in grandpa's shop. She said that the Grandparents are reasonable people
Marcel Proulx, JR.
The son of the Grandparents, Mr. Proulx is 40 years of age, a taxidermist, married and with two children, He testified that the Child had a great relationship with his Grandparents and that he had been in and out of their home since his birth. He saw no reason why the Child shouldn't be still visiting with the Grandparents. In June or July of 2000, Mother told Mr. Proulx that he
could no longer see the Child, although she had been letting him take the Child home so long as he promised that he wouldn't allow the Grandparents or the Father see the Child. Mother told him that the Child's pediatrician said it wasn't beneficial for the Child to see any members of the Proulx family. He noted that Mother had, about a year ago, told him that the Child had been diagnosed with ADHD and was on Ritalin, but asked him not to tell the Grandparents or the
Father. Mr. Proulx expressed his feeling that it was very unfair that the Child had been cut off from his Father's family.
Florence Knight
Ms. Knight is the President of the Alberta Branch of the Canadian Grandparents' Association. She noted that - many professional parents tend to deny access to grandparents because the grandparents are less educated; the parents may be trying to leave behind humble beginnings. - the Association is fighting for the right of children to know their heritage' - grandparents are unique and not here for a long time - some parents are afraid of what their children will talk about to the grandparents - there is a sense that judges decide in the best interests of parents rather than in the best interest of grandchildren
That concluded the case presented by the Grandparents. I will now deal with the case presented by the Mother