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PETITION TO BAN CORPORAL PUNISHMENT OF CHILDREN IN CANADA

We, the undersigned, believe Canada should immediately ban all corporal punishment of children, because of the multitude of harms caused by corporal punishment of children, and in order to comply with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Canada is a signatory, and because children are our most vulnerable citizens.

Canadian Citizens and Residents, sign by clicking HERE

SIGNERS

1. Susan Lawrence, Ottawa, Ontario
"In light of overwhelming research showing corporal punishment to be harmful to children, and because children deserve the same right adults enjoy to be legally protected from being hit, Canada should pass a law banning corporal punishment of children."

2. Stephen Lawrence, Ottawa, Ontario
"Canada should ban corporal punishment of children, the sooner the better."

3. Corinne Robertshaw, Toronto, Ontario, Founder Repeal 43 Committee
"Section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada is a defence to assault that justifies corporal punishment of children for 'correction'. It reflects a 19th century approach to discipline that must be ended."

4. Edwin H. Peart, Winnipeg, Manitoba
"I am so happy that the Government of Canada has finally decided that children are people too and deserve the same rights to be protected from physical assault (which spanking is in spite of what some people say to the contrary) like adults are already. Corporal punishment is already illegal in all Canadian schools. It's now time to extend the ban to the home as well like 24 other countries have already done."

5. Tiina Payson, Edmonton, Alberta
"'People are not for hitting, and children are people too!' It is time to stop the barbaric practice of hitting children for any reason whatsoever. Banning Corporal Punishment is an essential first step to a truly civilized society."

6. Nathan Gilbert, Toronto, Ontario

7. Catherine Coste, Ottawa, Ontario
"It is considered an assault to hit babies, teenagers and adults: WHY not include children!!!! It is 2008, it is time to wake up."

8. Jo Scott, Kitchener, Ontario
"It's not acceptable for us to hit other adults, so why should it be acceptable to hit children? Kids are people, not property."

9. Dave Rainham, Waterloo, Ontario

10. Ned Lecic, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
"Corporal punishment is an outdated method of discipline that should be banned as not respecting a child's dignity. Many countries, even developing ones like Ukraine, have banned it. It's high time Canada followed suit."

11. Dan Hammill, Joliette, Québec, ESL Teacher

12. Paul Payson, Edmonton, Alberta
"Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of children!!"

13. Dana Sokolowska, Crescent Valley, British Columbia

14. Libby Simon, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Social Worker (Retired)
"See 'How Does It Feel to be Spanked' published by the Canadian Journal for Empathic Parenting by Libby Simon"

15. Taavi Burns, Thornhill, Ontario
"I was NOT hit as a child, and I turned out fine! (Thanks Mom and Dad!)"

16. Karen Murphy Corr, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Mother of four
"Hitting is wrong, no matter what the age. I hope Canada honours its signing of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and bans hitting."

17. Diane Perazzo, Ottawa, Ontario
"Corporal punishment of children is a barbaric practice that should have ended during the middle ages."

18. George Richards, Castlegar, British Columbia, KRUNA
"assault of a child is assault, age of the victim does not alter the meaning of words"

19. Shannon Nedza, Pickering, Ontario
"It's about time!"

20. Jeff Nedza, Pickering, Ontario

21. Melanie MacDermid, Toronto, Ontario

22. Kerry Harris, Ottawa, Ontario

23. Steve Parsons, Edmonton, Alberta
"It's not okay to hit an adult, then why is it okay to hit a child?"

24. Lisa-Marie Parsons, Edmonton, Alberta
"Assault is assault, even if the person being hit is a child. Canada should have banned corporal punishment long ago."

25. Sarah Bent, Sackville, Nova Scotia

26. Melora, Guelph, Ontario
"Spanking is not a helpful tool"

27. Laura Maxwell, Halifax, Nova Scotia
"Physical abuse is unacceptable for every person- especially those with no voice. Stop violence against children from being acceptable under law."

28. Renee Staats, Kelowna, British Columbia, Mother
"I hope this becomes a law; children should not be hit ever!"

29. Misha Hughey, West Lorne, Ontario
"Why is it against the law to assault an adult but it's perfectly acceptable to do so to a child. Children cannot defend themselves against adults. Ban corporal punishment now!!!!"

30. Ghislaine Yergeau, Aylmer (Gatineau), Québec
"Corporal punishment: how barbaric, and only useful in breeding fear, resentment and more violence. Stop it now!"

31. Rebecca MacLary, London, Ontario, fmr Police Constable
"Please let's give children the same rights and protection as all other people in our society. Hitting is wrong."

32. Amy Neri, Llyodminster, Saskatchewan

33. Dr. Robin Walker, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Professor of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University

34. Jo Wood, Ottawa, Ontario, Ottawa Raging Grannies
"Use of corporal punishment teaches the child that brute force settles issues and power wins. As they grow to be parents, they are likely to continue the practice. They are also likely to see use of force (e.g. war) as the best solution to problems."

35. Gillian McIntyre, Belleville, Ontario

36. Bridget Grounds, Ottawa, Ontario

37. Barbara Young, Ottawa, Ontario

38. Alex Macdonald, Carleton Place, Ontario
"Thank you for this."

39. Crystal Genier, Hearst, Ontario
"It's appalling that the Criminal Code allows you to assault people if they are between the ages of 2 and 12 for 'correction' this must be rectified!!"

40. Lindsey Hoenisch, Bracebridge, Ontario, Student at Nipissing University

41. Christopher Chan, Waterloo, Ontario

42. Samantha Nagy, Kitchener, Ontario

43. Erin Cadeau, Surrey, British Columbia

44. Cindy Bablitz, Calgary, Alberta, Alphabet Soup Conference: the Calgary Unschooling Conference

Read about the many harms of corporal punishment of children HERE