Volume 11, Number 2, 1993
Articles
- Clarifying the Legal Dimensions of Fatherhood - Margrit Eichler and Matnie McCall
Social changes in the late twentieth century have challenged the meanings traditionally ascribed to the familial roles of wife, husband,mother, father, and child and genereated considerable confusion about appropriate behaviours for these roles. The law both contributes to and suffers from this confusion. In this article, we describe the variety of ways in which Canadian law defines a man as a father. We propose a typology of fathers with which to systematically discuss these definitions. Using this typology, we identify contradictions and inconsistencies within and among jurisdictions in Canada and discuss the implications of using intentionality as a basis for determining who is a father. We conclude with several observations about the meaning of "father" in the law.
- L'Egalite Formelle C. L'Egalite Veritable: Exemples Legislatif et Jurisprudentiel en Droit de la Famille au Quebec - Marlene Cano
En droit de la famille québécois, le Code civil consacre le principe d'egalité entre les conjoints. En dépit de ses apparences progressistes, sur le plan théorique, cette égalité formelle fausse le débat et ignore les véritables enjeux dans ce domaine du droit. La mise en vigeur d'une législation promouvant le modèle d'égalité formelle, comme la Loi 146, de même qu'une simple application des principes de ce modèle par les tribunaux, comme dans les décisions rendues par la Cour d'appel du Québec en matière de garde d'enfants, masquent la réalité sociale comme telle et nuisent à toute promesse d'égalité véritable. Dans les deux cas, un modèle d'égalité véritable aurait été nettement plus approprié.
- "Troubled Waters": Deductibility of Business Expenses Under the Income Tax Act, Child Care Expenses and 'Symes" - Donna M. Eansor and Christopher Wydrzynski
This paper discussses the tax treatment of child care expenditures under the Income Tax Act in the context of the Symes decision. The authors advocate that the ultimate resolution of the case should depend on the Supreme Court's view as to whether child care expenditures are valid business deductions under the Income Tax Act. The determination should not only depend on whether the releant legislation is interpreted in light of section 15 of the Charter nor on any equality right judicially recognized under the fundamental right. A contextual taxation analysis which embraces the actual social and economic realities faced by women with children who also work in independent economic contexts supports a finding in favour of deductibility.
Review of Periodical Literature
- Yasuhide Kawashima, "Marriage and Name Changing in Japanese Family Law" (1992) 26 U.B.C.L.R. - David M. Hunter
- Kathleen E. Mahoney, "The Legal Treatment of Spousal Abuse: A Case of Sexual Discrimination" (1992) 41 U. of New Brunswick L.J. - Linda K. Templeton
- Mary Jane Mossman, "Les Belles Soueurs: Unquiet Questions About Gender and Family Justice" (1992), Dalhousie L.J. - William Q. Timoshyk
- Jane Ursel, "The Family Violence Court of Winnipeg" (1992), 21 Manitoba L.J. - David Owen
Case Comment
- Knodel v. British Columbia (Medical Services Commission) - N. Kathleen ("Sam") Banks
Book Reviews
- Raymond R. Corrado, Nicholas Bala, Rick Linden and Marc LeBlanc, eds., Juvenile Justice in Canada. (Toronto and Vancouver: Butterworths, 1992). - John C. Pearson
- Robert M. Gordon and Simon N. Verdun-Jones, Adult Guardianship Law in Canada. (Toronto: Carswell, 1992) - Roberta J. Clarke
- Berend Hovius and Timothy G. Youdan, The Law of Family Property. (Toronto: Carswell, 1991). - Ronald G. Hopp
- Sherene Razack, Canadian Feminism and the Law: The Women's Legal Education and Action Fund and the Pursuit of Equality. (Toronto: Second Story Press, 1991). - Cheryl L. Waldrum
- Jane Ursel, Private Lives, Public Policy: 100 Years of State Intervention in the Family. (Toronto: The Women's Press, 1992). - Alison Diduck
- Brian Wharf, ed., Rethinking Child Welfare in Canada. (Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1993). - Marlee Kline