Burnaby MP pushes motion to end physical punishment of children

A Burnaby MP is tabling a motion to repeal a section of the Canadian Criminal Code which allows the physical punishment of children.

NDP House Leader Peter Julian, MP for New Westminster-Burnaby, tabled Bill C-273, titled An Act to amend the Criminal Code (Corinne’s Quest and the protection of children.)

Bill C-273 would amend Criminal Code Section 43, in an effort to end the legality of corporal punishment toward children.

As of May 2022, Section 43 states “Every schoolteacher, parent or person standing in the place of a parent is justified in using force by way of correction toward a pupil or child, as the case may be, who is under his care, if the force does not exceed what is reasonable under the circumstances.”

“As we well know, physical punishment of children is still legal in Canada despite the fact that dozens and dozens of countries around the world have banned the practice. This bill seeks to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code that allows for physical punishment of children,” said Julian in parliament.

Today I tabled Bill C-273 – Corinne's Quest to #RepealSection43 of the Criminal Code that allows for physical punishment of children.
C-273 is 2nded by MP @LoriIdlout
▶️https://t.co/FYlrGcUhKc #C273 https://t.co/npFylCXi0y #cdnpoli #NDP #polcan #polqc #NPD pic.twitter.com/L7EwKXw8E8

— Peter Julian (@MPJulian) May 19, 2022

The bill is named after the efforts of the Corinne’s Quest organization, dedicated to repealing Section 43.

Corinne’s Quest was founded by Corinne Robertshaw, a lawyer for the federal government that became concerned about reports of child injuries and deaths caused by their parents or caregivers.

After her retirement in 1990, Robertshaw made it her mission to repeal Section 43, but passed away in 2013 before that vision could be complete.

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Kathy Lynn, chair of Corinne’s Quest, believes it is finally time to give Canada’s children the same protection all citizens are offered.

“Violence against children should be against the law, not defined by it,” said Lynn.

“Corinne’s Quest continues to advocate on behalf of children. A special thanks to Kathy and John Lynn who are constituents of mine in New Westminster—Burnaby, who are really shepherding the push to ban physical punishment of children and repeal section 43. I hope that all members of Parliament will support this important legislation”, said Julian.

Sweden was the first country to ban physical punishment on children in 1979. Today, 63 countries have banned physical punishment of children.

Bill C-273 went through its first reading in the House of Commons on Thursday, with the second reading not currently scheduled.