COURT CASES - Comments and Discussion

August 2005
Justice Lafreniere reversed custody of two children from a mother to the father because the mother was attempting to alienate the children from their father.  The children were five years of age at the time.  It would appear that Justice Lafreniere may be one of the first judges to take appropriate action against a parent who attempts to alienate a child using what is called Hostile-Aggressive Parenting. Justice Lafreniere appears to be breaking ranks from the general principal that mothers automatically get custody of young children and that the best interest of the children take precedent over gender of the parents.

April 2006
Justice Lafreniere's previous decision in August of 2005 to reverse custody of children from a mother to the father was upheld by the Ontario court of Appeal. This decision of the Court of Appeal could be one of the first indications that the long standing practice of automatically awarding custody of children to mothers, even when they are abusive, is coming to an end and that justice may once again prevail in our courts regarding custody of children. An article was published in the Hamilton Spectator concerning the Court of Appeal decision.
Link to article in pdf format

Should you or anyone you know have information about this judge, please contact the Canada Court Watch Program by email.