Montreal, November 11, 1997

Registered letter

Without prejudice

Ministère de la justice
(Ministry of Justice)
M. Serge Ménard
Ministre de la justice
(Minister of Justice)
1200, route de l'église, 9th Floor
Sainte-Foy, Qc
G1V 4M1

Mister the Minister,

I reiterate my wish to take part in the ministerial work group that will have the mandate to analyze and give its recommendations on the issue of confidentiality of adoption records. However we believe the delays generated by such procedures would cause serious prejudices to the population if you do not simultaneously proceed with a campaign to sensitize the public to the issue. I invite you to read the letter I sent to the President of the Collège des médecins (College of physicians), Dr. Roch Bernier, which proves that as a consequence of the adoption law over a million Quebecers have incomplete or false medical records. It means that every day, about one hundred surgeries based on false reports are done with resulting tragedies for numerous individuals. Is it not appropriate to make a comparison with the contaminated blood scandal where the authorities, even after they learned the existence of a solution to minimize the risks to the population, chose to voluntarily conceal the serious risks for the population? I am quite certain that nobody wants to take responsibility for such a catastrophy. That is the reason why I urge you to immediately inform the population and the medical community of the problem I have just described.

We would appreciate your comments on this issue. I am also soliciting a meeting with you a soon as possible.

Sincerely,

André Desaulniers
(address and phone number removed)

internet site: http://www.total.net/~adoption

P.S. We strongly recommend the following book dealing with the issue: GRIFFITH, Keith, New Zealand Adoption: History and Practice, Social and Legal, 1840-1996. The not only includes the New Zealand's past history on adoption matters but also enumerates and summarizes the legislation, psychologic and social studies related to adoption in various countries. It can be purchased from the author: Mr. Keith Griffith, 20 Herewini street, Titahi Bay, Wellington, New Zealand (tel.: 011-64-4 236-6215, fax: 011-64-4-236-6625).

We sent a letter presenting our position to Mr. Jean Rochon, Minister of Health and Social services and to Mr. Vital Simard of the same Ministry.