Canadian Council of Natural Mothers
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Council of Natural Mothers (CCNM) is a Canadian
lobby group for the rights of women who have placed children for adoption
, founded in 1999. It is opposed to most continuing adoption practices, arguing that adoption is traumatic for mothers and frequently does not benefit their children as currently practiced. To support mothers, CCNM maintains an active email group which discusses issues which pertain to those who have experienced adoption loss and those who may be in reunion with lost family members. Members of the CCNM also at attend adoption related conferences, government meetings and meetings with social services agencies to educate people about the experiences of natural mothers and argue for improved policies, practices and rights of mothers and adopted people.
Many of CCNM's published positions argue that adoption is frequently dependent on the legal and emotional exploitation of natural mothers, and the group has published a guide to "Honest Adoption Language" which argues that much of the contemporary vocabulary used to describe adoption exhibits a pro-adoption bias.
CCNM has been very influential in opening birth records. Its then Vice-President, Sandra Jarvie, represented mothers and people adopted in working to open records in Alberta. The records opened in Alberta in 2004. In Ontario, CCNM supported the Adoption Information Disclosure Act
and the Access to Adoption Records Act
. In 2005 it published a position paper disputing the claims of Ontario Privacy Commissioner Ann Cavoukian
with regard to past privacy commitments made to women placing children for adoption. CCNM also worked closely with the Coalition for Open Adoption Records (COAR) in Ontario to open Ontario’s records, which occurred on June 1, 2009.
Membership is open to all mothers who have placed children for adoption, their children and other natural family members. Others who support the aims of the organization may also join. The current president of CCNM is Karen Lynn. CCNM is an affiliate of Parent Finders Canada.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
lobby group for the rights of women who have placed children for adoption
Adoption
Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents...
, founded in 1999. It is opposed to most continuing adoption practices, arguing that adoption is traumatic for mothers and frequently does not benefit their children as currently practiced. To support mothers, CCNM maintains an active email group which discusses issues which pertain to those who have experienced adoption loss and those who may be in reunion with lost family members. Members of the CCNM also at attend adoption related conferences, government meetings and meetings with social services agencies to educate people about the experiences of natural mothers and argue for improved policies, practices and rights of mothers and adopted people.
Many of CCNM's published positions argue that adoption is frequently dependent on the legal and emotional exploitation of natural mothers, and the group has published a guide to "Honest Adoption Language" which argues that much of the contemporary vocabulary used to describe adoption exhibits a pro-adoption bias.
CCNM has been very influential in opening birth records. Its then Vice-President, Sandra Jarvie, represented mothers and people adopted in working to open records in Alberta. The records opened in Alberta in 2004. In Ontario, CCNM supported the Adoption Information Disclosure Act
Adoption Information Disclosure Act
The Adoption Information Disclosure Act, formally An Act respecting the disclosure of information and records to adopted persons and birth parents, also known as Bill 183, is an Ontario law regarding the disclosure of information between parties involved in adoptions.Passed by the Legislative...
and the Access to Adoption Records Act
Access to Adoption Records Act
The Access to Adoption Records Act , is an Ontario law passed in 2008 regarding the disclosure of information between parties involved in adoptions. It is the successor to the 2005 Adoption Information Disclosure Act, parts of which were struck down in 2007 in a ruling by Judge Edward Belobaba of...
. In 2005 it published a position paper disputing the claims of Ontario Privacy Commissioner Ann Cavoukian
Ann Cavoukian
Ann Cavoukian is the current Information and Privacy Commissioner for the Canadian province of Ontario.- Early life and career :Born in Cairo in 1952 to ethnic Armenian parents Artin and Lucie Cavoukian, Cavoukian immigrated to Toronto with her family in 1958...
with regard to past privacy commitments made to women placing children for adoption. CCNM also worked closely with the Coalition for Open Adoption Records (COAR) in Ontario to open Ontario’s records, which occurred on June 1, 2009.
Membership is open to all mothers who have placed children for adoption, their children and other natural family members. Others who support the aims of the organization may also join. The current president of CCNM is Karen Lynn. CCNM is an affiliate of Parent Finders Canada.