Report from Queen'Park "NEW FAMILY LAW REFORM BILL" JANUARY 31, 1978 In recent years it had become increasingly clear that the state of the law covering family- rights and obligations was unsatisfactory. Traditional legal rules and concepts required re-evaluation in light of the major social and economic changes that have affected modern ,family life in this province. Recognizing this need for change, the Ontario Law Corridi Capers Spring is on the way, or at least we are being led tobe- lieve that it is. You can always rely on spring coming when you receive yout first tax bill. This year the Town has opted to eliminate the discount for advance tax payment. To some this could be quite a blow. It amounts to a small saving, but some may feel they are being rewarded for paying ahead of time. Personal- ly, I think it is better to leave the money in the bank col- lecting interest, than to pay for taxes that are not due for two months. Both instalnents can be mailed at one time using post-dated cheques. Don't despair - you may find you are actually ahead of the game paying your taxes in this fashion. Whatever you do, fellow fax payers, don't take your anger out on the bank tellers. They had nothing to do with the change. If you are unhappy with the current situauou, place a call to your local councillor and explain your feel- ings. Rememnber, they are the ones who changed the ruling, not the bank clerks. However, the new methodmay well be to your advantage. Boy Scouts Paper Drive Saturday, February 11 will be Boy Scout Paper Drive in the Corridor from Elizabeth Crescent to Garrard, north of DundasStreet, Papers should be bundled and tied and at the road by 9 o'clock. Please have them visable for the boys. I have had several calls reqesting pick up south of Highway 2. If any of you readers.knòw of a paper drive in the area south of highway 2,please let me know so that I may inform the res- idents. This Saturdaynorth of highway 2 from Elizabeth to the Oshawa Town Line PAPER DRIVE. Corridor Area Ratepayers Assoq«ation The annual Public meeting of the Ratepayers Association will be held on Thursday, February 16 at Dr. Robt. Thornton School cr. of Hazelwood and Scott Street. The time 8 p.m. This will be a very important meeting as the constitution will be presented for adoption. The election of officers for the coming.year will also take place. Plan to attend. Capers Dance No. 6 The dance will be held at Heydenshore Pavillion on Saturday February 18 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are now on sale D. THAPAR Denture Therapist 214 Dunds St. E. WItby .687797 HOURS Mon. - Sat. & Evenings By Appointment Only ~PIê~~ a~ers HAND MADE CANADIAN POTTERY Imported Pottery Brass & Copper Mcrome Hangers <?\Books & Plant Supplies il Reform Commission was set up to study Ontario's property and support laws. The reports made by the Commission were duly tabled in the Legislature, and, after public dis- cussion and response to the proposals, major reforms were introduced. This family law package was then referred to the stand- ing Justice Committee who have just completed a compli- cated clause be clause debate on these reforns which are scheduled to come into effect on March 31st. The new legislation will replace archaic family property and support laws, and is designed to provide an equitable settlement of affairs when a marriage or common law re- lationship breaks up. Here are some of the highlights of the new Family Law Reform Act: At the present time, subject to the court making a find- ing that one person has made a contribution in work or money to specific property owned by the other, what a husband buys with his money is all his and what a wife busy with her money is all hers. The contributions of a homemaker or a spouse who .buys the family groceries and are $8.00 per couple. Lunch prizes and refreshments. Call to-day for reservations. Westminster United Church Men's Missionary Ra>y - St. Stephen's Church, Saturday February 11. The speaker will be the Very Rev. Bruce MacLeôd. Dinner meeting - 6:30 p.m. Monday Feb. 13, 8 p.m. - U.C.W. CARD PARTY. Tickets are available from any U.C.W. member. Fun-Lunch-Prizes. Scout and Guide Sunday Sunday, February 19. Have a good week. M. McEachern 725-8967. F.lower show film featured at meetig Spring came to Brooklin Horticultural Society, if for only an hour, on Wednesday. Januà iy 25. At the first meeting of the New Year, members enjoyed a beautiful film, made by the Ontario Department of Agri- culture & Food, depicting The Toronto Garden Club's "Spring Flower Show-1976." It was not only a joy but the most informative to see how, this huge show is put together. The Society is planning a bus trip to this year's flower show the first week in March. This was followed by a Dan Gibson nature film on the Birds & Animals of our Northern Ontario forests. Because of the small turn- out, Ken Brown's slide pre- sentation on "Propogating Tropical Plants"wiil be shown at the February 22 meeting. This will be followed by a plant auction. Members are requested to take cuttings to bring to the auction. Memberships for 1978 are now due. Please contact membership chairman, Marg. Powell at 655-4386 for infor- mation. Volunteers are being sought Whitby's new service for senior citizens, Community Care, went into operation Feb. 1, and is looking for volunteers. Services offered are friend- ly visiting, transportation to medical appointments and shopping, financial and legal counselling, home mainten- ance such as cleaning and repairs, and information and referral. Anyone wishing to volun- teer to carry out these ser- vices or seniors who require them may cati 668-6223 Monday to Friday- fron 9 a.m. to noon. Services are not restricted to office hours, and nominal fees apply to some services. tle Doctor Joseph QRuddy General .... Hospital PR ESENTS A PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM ON "STROKE DESIGNED TO INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF ITS CAUSES AND NATURE AND TO ASSIST PATIENT AND FAMILY TO ALLEVIATE ITS ADVERSE EFFECTS TO BE HELD IN THE AUDITORIUM OF FAIRVIEW LODGE, WHITBY WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15/78 - NATURE OF STROKE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22/78 - COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEMS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1/78 - ACTIVITIESOF DAILY LIVING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8/78 - PHYSICAL THERAPY- PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPLICATIONS ALL SESSIONS START AT 7:30 P.M. 1 NO REGISTRATION FEE Y FREE PRESS. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1978, PAGE 5 or pays for famy vacations are not recognized as giving a spouse a right to a share of family ptoperty if the marrià ge breaks down. The new Family Law Reform Act provides that if a marriage breaks down, each spouse is entitled to an equal division of family assets - that is, property which is ordinarily used and enjoyed by the family while the spouses are residing together. This approach reflects the belief that, in general, the spouses contribute equally for those assets which are of continuing use and benefit to the family, whether or not one spouse works at home and cares for the family. How- ever, if in the individual situation, the court considers that it would be unfair to divide the family assets 50-50, it may, after considering specific statutory guidelines, divide the family assets in some,other proportion or order a division of property which is not a family asset. In addition, during the marriage, both spouses will have eqqal possessory rights in the matrimonial home and, in the absence of a court order, neither spouse will be able to sell, mortgage or lease the home without the consent of the other.spouse. Business assets are not subject to automatic sharing. However, contribution to a business by a spouse, directly or indirectly, would be recognized. Thus, the partnership of marriage is recognized but, at the same time, the system allows for individual initiative with respect to businesses. The proposals also allow spouses by mutual consent, to agree to other systems of property ownership, as long as this does not limit the rights of either partner with regard to the matrimonial home and support obligations. Under the new law, support obligations will also be equalized, in that for the first time in the province, a man will be able to claim support from his wife. Such "contracts" specifying obligations towards each partners will also be allowed in common-law relationships. Common law partners without such contracts will still be protected. The law will, for example, allow a court to order a common-law husband to support the woman he lived with and their children should the relationship end. Although I have only touched upon several of the re- forms in the new fanily law bill, I hope I have been able to illustrate that these roforms are based on the concept that each partner in a marriage should be treated equally when shuch a relationship breaks apart. Further information on the new Family Law Reform Bill may be obtained by writing the Policy Development Division, Ministry of the Attorney General, 18th Floor, 18 King Street East, Toronto, Ontario M5C 1C5 r - QUNAS r, ATOYe 1970 Plymouth Duster, 318 Radio, Bucket seats, console, Uc. 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