NEW BRUNSWICK

 Update of December 2000

          On December 14, 2000, Family and Community Services Minister, Percy Mockler, announced an important change to the New Brunswick Post Adoption Disclosure Register.  Previously, only adult adoptees were allowed to activate a search for their birth parents or siblings through the program.  The Province has now changed its policy to allow birth mothers, fathers, as well as brothers and sisters to activate a search for their adult children or siblings through the government's Post Adoption program.

The Provincial Government plans to send out letters to the approximately 600 parents and siblings currently registered as wanting to find their children or brothers and sisters.  Nearly 450 are mothers who are searching for their children, 100 are siblings, while 50 of those registered are birth fathers.

Anyone not already registered can also come forward and make a  request for search.

Editorial comment:    Minister Percy Mokler should be commended for recognizing that adoption reunion is a part of social programs that needed to be modernized.  This is a policy change and demonstrates clearly that where government has the will, changes can be made easily.

PROVINCIAL SERVICES:

IDENTIFYING INFORMATION:   Subject to Active Search.

NON-IDENTIFYING INFORMATION:  Prepared within two months, though applicants at one time had to wait 18 months. With the backlog reduced, we anticipate a response within six months maximum.

FEES:  None at present.

PASSIVE REGISTRY:  There is a Passive Register for Birth Relatives and Adoptees.  Records are in the process of being computerized, a step that could reduce the waiting period.

ACTIVE SEARCH:  Active search done on behalf of Adult Adoptees. 

COUNSELLING:  Once offered routinely, but curtailed in an effort to deal with a lengthy waiting list. Members of the adoption circle are encouraged to seek private counselling.

STAFFING:  One searcher, two social workers/counsellors who as well as counselling, attend other requests such as referrals from Indian Affairs concerning re-establishment of Indian status or inquiries from Vital Statistics about clarification of irregular birth registrations.

APPLICATION FOR SERVICE:  A semi-active register was established in the fall of 1989 with searches beginning  in January of 1990. Search requests stem from the days when the registry first opened in 1981. Number of applications for an active search and on the passive registry were not reported.

ACCESS/OPENNESS:  Access to adoption records is subject to active search.

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Page last updated: November 28, 2007