Erasing Family, a Documentary Film Co-Produced by CCMF
Public Policy
Violence and Safety
CONTACT
Justin Trottier, Executive Director
Canadian Centre for Men and Families
jtrottier@menandfamilies.org
416-402-8856
ACTION ITEMS:
Watch the film.
Learn more about parental alienation in order to reduce its prevalence.
Contact us and Get More Involved:
1. Organize your own screening.
2. Join or start a support group for alienated parents
3. Advance public policies that makes separation and divorce healthier for children.
Donate to support the film screening and policy work, receive charity receipt
Erasing Family, Co-Produced by the Canadian Centre for Men and Families, is a ground-breaking documentary film that spotlights the devastating consequences of parental alienation. The film led directly to global efforts to reform divorce and family law.
Contact us to arrange a screening.
A loving parent being erased from the life of his or her child is one of the most significant public health crises of our time. In Canada and the US, over 25 million parents are being erased – for no good reason – from their children’s lives after divorce or separation.
Watch the trailer for Erasing Family
For background on the film and to find out how you can watch it, visit https://erasingfamily.org/
Join a mass movement of citizens working to make progressive change happen across Canada.
Erasing Family spotlights the devastating consequences of parental alienation. The documentary follows young adults fighting to reunite with their broken families and offers a concrete road-map for public policy and community service improvements.
Nanos poll: 70% of Canadians support a rebuttable presumption of equal parenting and only 13% oppose it. See 2017 Nanos Equal Parenting Poll.pdf
Prior to these public events, the film was screened privately to great acclaim at the conferences for the Association of Family & Conciliation Courts, the American Psychological Association and the Parental Alienation Study Group
Testimonials
“It’s hard when you have to stop and think that your child wants nothing to do with you because of what they’ve been taught.”
– Dizzy Lerner, Alienated father, as interviewed in the documentray Erasing Family
“One parent gets to be a parent and the other gets to be at best a visitor and at worst completely erased.”
– Dr. Christine Giancarlo, Anthropologist, Mount Royal University (Calgary), and author, Parentectomy
“I want to hug my daughter but I can’t. And I couldn’t get any help.”
– Kris, Client, Father support group at the Canadian Centre for Men and Families
“Parental alienation devastates families. I’ve spoken to young fathers who were suicidal. There’s not much support, other than the Canadian Centre for Men and Families, for fathers who are alienated and trying to rebuild relationships with their kids”
– George, Client, Father support group at the Canadian Centre for Men and Families
About the Film
Erasing family bonds after divorce or separation is a leading cause of preventable childhood trauma. For change to happen, non-victims and institutions need to make divorce part of their agenda of social reform. Through personal narratives and legal analysis, Erasing Family educates families on how to make informed choices and mobilize representatives. Audiences will leave knowing that courtroom custody battles and their emotional consequences can be prevented with court reform and laws that promote shared parenting, as well as shifting resources to help families instead of encouraging them to fight.
Told from the point view of the children, Erasing Family attempts to heal from the consequences of courtroom decisions while endeavoring to build a DIY grassroots movement for social change. While the stories told are tragic, we show that happy endings are possible and inspire other children to reunite with their erased families.
The need is urgent. Although over 70% of Canadians support a presumption of equal parenting by mothers and fathers in the event of separation or divorce, and despite research showing that equal parenting has the best outcomes for children, legislative efforts have been repeatedly blocked. Efforts to reform family court by streamlining protocols and offering free or low cost mediation services remain fractured. We are determined to raise awareness that erasing family bonds after divorce or separation is one of the leading cause of preventable childhood trauma and through the film, trigger a mass movement to preserve family bonds.
CCMF hosted all Canadian Premiere Screenings of Erasing Family.
Past Canadian Premiere Events
Lethbridge: Saturday, November 9. Doors open 3:15pm. Movie starts 3:30pm. The Movie Mill @ 1710 Mayor Magrath Dr S, Lethbridge, AB T1K 2R5
Brampton: Wednesday, November 13 at 6:30PM. Brampton Towers Party Room, 85 Charolais Boulevard, Brampton, Ontario, L6Y2R8
Barrie, Ontario: Friday, November 22 at 7:00PM. 12 Chase McEachern Way, Barrie, ON, L4M1A1
Medicine Hat: Saturday, November 23 at 2:00pm. Esplanade Studio Theatre @ 401 First St SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A8W2
Calgary: Wednesday, October 9 at 7:00PM. Jenkins Theatre (Room I115), Mount Royal University. 4825 Mt Royal Gate SW., Calgary, Alberta, T3E 6K6
Toronto: Thursday, October 10 at 7:00PM and Friday, October 18 at 7:00PM. JJR Macleod Auditorium, Medical Sciences Building. 1 King’s College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S3K1
Saskatoon: October 12, 2019 at 7:00PM
Edmonton: October 17 at 7:00PM. Theatre L1-190, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA) Building, University of Alberta, 11405 87 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9
Ottawa: Friday, October 18 at 7:00PM. Champlain Room, Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave W, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 1J1
Winnipeg: Saturday, October 19 at 2:30PM. Ambassador E Room, Canad Inns Destination Centre Windsor Park, 1034 Elizabeth Rd, Winnipeg, MB R2J 1B3, Dauphin, MB
Vancouver: Sunday, November 3. Doors open 2:00PM. Screening starts 3:00PM. The Theatre at UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC Canada V6Z 3B7
MEDIA ADVISORY – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Documentary Exposes Trauma Inflicted on Children by Canada’s Family Court System
Canadian Screenings of “Erasing Family” Start Oct 9th, Run in Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat
TORONTO, ON — (October 8, 2019) – The new documentary Erasing Family gives voice to the avoidable trauma experienced by over one million Canadian children of divorcing parents. The film will premiere at venues across Canada starting October 9th, with screenings scheduled in Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.
The goal of this film is to make family break-up healthier for children by offering a concrete road-map for policy and service improvements. This message resonates with a broad consensus that we have a broken family law system that urgently needs repair.
“With an election around the corner, the film is a wake up call to policy makers to work toward structural reform that puts children first,” said Justin Trottier, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Men and Families, a men’s health agency that co-produced the film.
The film interviews activists for change who believe the most impactful remedy would be a presumption of equal parenting between mothers and fathers in the event of separation or divorce. Although a Nanos poll showed that 70% of Canadians support equal parenting and only 13% oppose it, and despite social science research demonstrating that equal parenting provides the best outcomes for children, legislative efforts have been repeatedly blocked.
The film’s prequel, Erasing Dad, which explored parental alienation in South America, was originally banned from YouTube because it exposed how some professionals make money by keeping parents and children separated. The ban was overturned, the film became incredibly popular and it helped to improve family law in Argentina.
For full information and the screening schedule, visit http://erasingfamily.ca
CONTACT
Justin Trottier
Executive Director,
Canadian Centre for Men and Families
jtrottier@menandfamilies.org
416-402-8856
The Canadian Centre for Men and Families is a men’s health and social service agency with offices across Canada.
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Toronto's First Family Shelter for Male Victims of Domestic Violence and their Children
Public Policy
Violence and Safety
CONTACT
Justin Trottier, Executive Director
Canadian Centre for Men and Families
jtrottier@menandfamilies.org
416-402-8856
Call to Action
With the support of thousands of contributors, the Family Shelter for Abused Men and Children opened in Toronto in the fall of 2021!
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Click here to visit the Family Shelter homepage and learn more about services and registration
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Make a charitable donation so we can sustain and grow our emergency residential supports
We’re working to open Toronto’s first shelter for male victims of domestic abuse – and their children. Will you be a part of this historic campaign?We have government agencies providing resources for this initiative and they are now considering ongoing financial support, but it is critical that we show that this project has strong public backing.
All Donations Now Matched Until December 31st. Please click here to done through our GoFundMe page.
We have already raised $150K, half of our total goal. If our GoFundMe Campaign is successful, we can wrap up our fundraising by the end of the year and open Canada’s first Family Shelter for Abused Men and Children in 2018!
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Hello and welcome to the Canadian Centre for Men and Families. The Centre has become a place of hope and transformation for boys, men and fathers in our community who often come to us when no other support is available. And now we and they need you.
Since we opened our doors, every day we get calls from men desperately searching for a safe haven from an abusive partner. Many of these callers are fathers with children and they have no place to go.
Now imagine you and your child live each day in fear of violence, but no one believes you because you’re a man. That is the situation for thousands of fathers every year. Although it may be hard to believe, Statistics Canada data and sociological research is clear: men suffer domestic abuse at rates comparable to women, yet their access to vital support services including crisis centres and emergency counselling is almost non-existent.
The critical missing piece are domestic abuse shelters for fathers and children. Single father families are the fastest growing family form in Canada. Yet while the caregiving role of dads quickly expands, fathers who are suffering violence in the home still have no safe place where they can escape with their children.
If governments are reluctant to step up then it’s time for you and I to lead by example. That’s what an amazing team of philanthropists did when they donated $150,000 to build Toronto’s first Family Shelter for Abused Men and Children. That means we’re already half way to our goal. And now to help us get to the finish line, we have a backer who has stepped up to match your contributions – dollar for dollar – up until $50,000, only until December 31st.
This could be the game changer we’ve been waiting for, but only if we each take the initiative.
In the last few years, shelters for abused men and children have begun to pop up in small towns in places like Arkansas and Texas, but if we’re successful here we will open the first shelter for abused men and children in any metropolitan municipality in North America. If we’re successful we can be the lifeline for so many families in desperate need of help. If we’re successful the effects will be felt far beyond Toronto for we will have sparked a critical change in the conversation around gender and victimization, and that means more support for all vulnerable families.
This is is your chance to guarantee that success and to be a part of this landmark initiative.
The time has come for all of us to take a bold step. Your support is absolutely critical for us to capitalize on the foundation that has been built.
That’s why we are asking you to please make a gift at this time and to and work with us to bring the first shelter for abused men and children to Canada’s largest city. All donations receive a charity receipt, which means you could get up to 40% back in tax benefits.
We are offering a variety of rewards for different levels of contribution. Please note that you will receive all rewards both at your level and at all levels below.
Thank you so for your interest. We are eager to join forces with you on a special project that will greatly improve many lives.
CCMF Legal Fund
Public Policy
Violence and Safety
CONTACT
Justin Trottier, Executive Director
Canadian Centre for Men and Families
jtrottier@menandfamilies.org
416-402-8856
We received intervenor status in our first case before the Supreme Court of Canada.
In R v Langan, our legal team offered unique testimony on the use of male gender stereotypes in ascertaining credibility and argued before the highest court that false and damaging beliefs about male sexual insatiability should be seen as the male equivalents to the established rape myths.
Support the CCMF Legal Fund
This first success in receiving intervenor status makes it easier for CCMF to apply for standing in future cases and could allow us to impact landmark legal decisions that affect thousands of families. But only with your help.
Expand the Inquiry: Include Men and Boys in the National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous People
Public Policy
Violence and Safety
CONTACT
Justin Trottier, Executive Director
Canadian Centre for Men and Families
jtrottier@menandfamilies.org
416-402-8856
Call to Action
- Hang a necktie on March 31, 2016 in support of the campaign started by Lydia Daniels, whose son, Colten Pratt, is missing. Join your local CCMF branch (see details below) or hang neckties with friends in your own community. Take pictures and share them with your friends and with us by emailing them to: info@equalitycanada.com
- Sign this petition “For a Gender-Inclusive Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Aboriginal Canadians”
- Write the ministers involved in the inquiry and your own MP. Always be respectful.
Find your MP’s email address using your postal code: Find Your MP
Use this template OR write your own email to your MP and:
Carolyn Bennett: Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs: minister@aadnc-aandc.gc.ca
Patty A. Hajdu: Minister of Status of Women: minister-ministre@swc-cfc.gc.ca
Jody Wilson-Raybould: Minister of Justice: Jody.Wilson-Raybould@parl.gc.ca - Share a link to this page with friends and use the hashtag #includemen
Introducing the Coalition to Expand the Inquiry
Help us in urging the federal government to include men and boys in the upcoming inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.
Click here to donate to Expand the Inquiry
Our Request:
Good Public Policy Should Be Built On All Available Data
A Request to the Government of Canada to Expand the Scope of the National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
Breaking News Reports:
Media Advisory: National Inquiry Now has Opportunity to Listen to Indigenous Families Calling to Include Boys and Men
Media Advisory: Indigenous Families Heartbroken Murdered Sons Will Not be Meaningfully Included in the National Inquiry
Media Advisory: Coalition Applauds National Inquiry Announcement That Indigenous Boys and Men Will be Included
Update
On December 15, 2016 A group of students at Port Credit Secondary School held an event wearing red ribbons and neckties as part of the Expand the Inquiry campaign. Neckties with red ribbons were placed around the school on International Human Rights day to honour both female and male victims of violence.
From December 6-8, 2016 the Coalition to Expand the Inquiry held a series of meetings in Ottawa.
Through meetings with the Minister of Justice, the Aboriginal First Nations Chief, and the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, we received a positive response from key policy makers, and scored major media coverage.
Watch Chief Ernie Crey on CBC News
Vancouver Sun: B.C. aboriginals urge all genders be included in murdered women’s inquiry
Press Conference Coverage on MSN News
Watch the Press Conference, held December 8, 2016.
Watch the Special Ottawa Panel Event December 7, 2016, featuring Coalition to Expand the Inquiry members:
Chief Ernie Crey, Cheam First Nation
Adam Jones, Professor of Political Science at the University of British Columbia
Justin Trottier, Executive Director, Canadian Centre for Men and Families (coalition member organization)
More than a year after the body of 26-year-old Charles Oudie was found in a storm drain in East Vancouver, his family members are still seeking answers and say police are not returning their calls. On December 3rd the Oudie Family generously agreed to sit down with members of CCMF Vancouver to pay tribute to Charles Oudie, share their struggle for answers, and state why a gender-inclusive inquiry into missing & murdered indigenous people is important.
October 8th: Watch “Expand the Inquiry!” A public event will take place in Vancouver on Saturday, October 8th, 6:30PM – 9:30PM PDT, featuring UBC Professor of Political Science Adam Jones, who has launched a petition calling for a gender-inclusive Inquiry, and BC Indigenous leader and author Chief Ernie Crey. The event will take place at Simon Fraser University’s Harbour Centre at 515 West Hastings Street and be available online by live streaming More information here.
Special Update: Mi’kmaw Native Centre and Public Service Alliance of Canada Join the Necktie Campaign
CCMF Halifax held its Necktie Campaign on National Aboriginal Day (June 21, 2016) at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Center in Halifax, in conjunction with a National Aboriginal Day celebration. The venue was at full capacity, with approximately 250 attendees. Debbie Eisan, administrator of the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Center, is adding neckties to the Centre’s auditorium, and keep them on display indefinitely. Lori Walton, the National Vice President for Equity at the Public Service Alliance of Canada, is doing a Tie Drive among the PSAC membership to collect the ties needed for the permanent Necktie Campaign. We would like to express my deepest gratitude to Debbie Eisan, Lori Walton, and all of the great people at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Center and the Public Service Alliance of Canada for helping us to make the Necktie Campaign a great success.
Lydia Daniels, who is from Long Plain First Nation in Manitoba, came up with the necktie concept after being inspired by the Red Cloth Ribbons Memorial campaign that was started to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women. CCMF is proud to join Ms. Daniels’ initiative and to have her support as we launch a series of events in various parts of the country.
Join our press conference Thurday, March 31st at 11:00am local time in Toronto and Edmonton.
Toronto: Canadian Centre for Men and Families at 152 Carlton St.
Edmonton: Ezio Faraone Park (West side of the north end of the Highlevel bridge).
Manitoba: Lydia Daniels, who initiated this campaign, will support these events by hanging neckties
Victoria Island, Ottawa/Hull: Kevin Daniels, Interim National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples joined a delegation including representatives of the Confederation of Aboriginal People of Ontario and Quebec, Grand Chief Thomas Square and Grand Chief Roger Fleury and Sue Martin of Home Fires Burning and others supporting the Neck Tie Campaign for Missing and Murdered Men and young boys. Since April 2015, Sue Martin has been in vigil, praying for a National Inquiry for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and girls. The delegation hang neck ties in a path leading to the Dept. of Indigenous Affairs in Hull and a representative of the Minister came down to accept their gift.
Over 70% of missing and murdered indigenous people are men and boys. They should be included in the inquiry.
Adam Jones: Aboriginal men are murdered and missing far more than aboriginal women. A proper inquiry would explore both
Videos from the launch of the necktie campaign on March 31, 2016
Press Conference
CCMF Edmonton Necktie Ceremoy
CCMF Toronto Necktie Ceremony
Press Coverage
Edmonton Journal:
Edmontonians call for men to be included in inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women
Global News:
Necktie campaign urges the investigation of all cases of missing and murdered indigenous people
Men’s Issues Charity Observes Workers’ National Day of Mourning
Public Policy
Violence and Safety
CONTACT
Justin Trottier, Executive Director
Canadian Centre for Men and Families
jtrottier@menandfamilies.org
416-402-8856
Watch our Remembrance Ceremony for Workers Who Died on the Job
MEDIA ADVISORY – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Men’s Issues Charity Observes Workers’ National Day of Mourning
Males are 96.5% of workplace deaths; effective safety programs must target affected population
TORONTO, ON – (April 28, 2016) The Canadian Centre for Men and Families (CCMF) is participating in today’s National Day of Mourning, in remembrance of workers who have been killed, injured or suffered illness on the job.
“One workplace fatality is one too many,” said CCMF Executive Director Justin Trottier. “But to solve this tragedy we must target the affected group, and males account for the overwhelming majority of deaths on the job.”
In the period from 2005 to 2014, males made up 96.5% of workplace fatalities from occupational disease and 91% of fatalities from workplace trauma [Source: 2014 WSIB Statistical Report]. The most dangerous occupations, including construction, manufacturing and transportation, have in common that they employ a significant majority of male workers.
“As a men’s health organization, we challenge men to move away from an identity tied to behaviour that is risky or dangerous, and to demand a safer work environment for themselves and their coworkers,” said Trottier.
Women have historically been precluded from dangerous professions. While the stated goal was to protect women, dangerous jobs pay higher wages precisely because they are less desirable.
In honour of our fallen family members and friends, CCMF will hold a Day of Mourning Remembrance Ceremony today at 3:00PM EDT at the Canadian Centre for Men and Families, Toronto’s first men’s health facility, at 152 Carlton St (at Homewood Ave), in downtown Toronto.
“In solidarity with events across the country, individuals will wear black and yellow ribbons, light candles and observe a moment of silence. Stories will be shared of lost loved ones and we will renew our commitment to building a safer and more healthy workplace,” said Trottier.
CONTACT
Justin Trottier
Executive Director,
Canadian Centre for Men and Families
jtrottier@menandfamilies.org
416-402-8856
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For more information visit:
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Day of Mourning Website
2014 Statistical Report from the WSIB showing gender break-down from workplace fatalities:
Occupational Disease Fatalities (96.5%)