(Ottawa, December 12, 2011) - Newmarket-Aurora MP Lois Brown welcomed today's announcement by the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of an interactive consent letter for children travelling abroad.
This safe-travel resource is intended to make it easier for children to travel while preventing their abduction to foreign countries. Parents will now be able to compose a clear and concise letter simply by filling out a form. The online tool was developed in response to the needs of parents, legal professionals and consular officials“Requiring a parent to carry a notarized consent letter signed by a non-travelling custodial parent as proof of permission to allow their children to travel will go a long way to preventing child abductions,” said MP Brown.
Following the Minister's announcement, MP Brown spoke in the House of Commons regarding the efforts of constituent Steven Watkins to locate his abducted children and have them returned home.The interactive consent letter for children travelling abroad, along with information on other aspects of foreign travel, can be found at www.travel.gc.ca.
MP Brown’s Statement in the House of Commons December 12, 2011
Member's Statements
Mr. Speaker, today I bring awareness to an issue that hits close to home. For the past two and a half years, my constituent, Steven Watkins has courageously been working to locate and bring back his two children who were abducted to Poland.
I want this House to know that Mr. Watkins is not alone in this fight. Since learning of the situation, Canadian consular officials have been actively engaging with local authorities in Poland, the provincial authorities and the York Regional Police on this case.
Today, the Minister of State announced the launch of an interactive consent letter for parents with children travelling abroad. This valuable resource is intended to make it easier for children to travel while preventing their abduction to foreign countries. The Minister of State has noted:
Child abductions are among the most difficult, complex and distressing circumstances faced by Canadian parents and consular officials.
Our government stands with Canadian families at home and abroad. We take cases involving children extremely seriously. We will continue to work with our partners towards a positive resolution in the case of my constituent, Mr. Watkins.
- Lois Brown, MP Newmarket-Aurora
