Barbara Kay, a prominent Canadian commentator, critiques the proposed Bill C-223, also known as the "Keeping Children Safe Act," which aims to amend the Divorce Act. The bill, introduced by Liberal MP Lisa Hepfner and supported by various feminist organizations, seeks to eliminate parental alienation as a legal factor in custody hearings. Kay contends that this approach would not only undermine the protection of children caught in high-conflict divorce scenarios but also facilitate abusive parental behavior by shielding the so-called alienating parent from accountability.

In her analysis, Kay characterizes parental alienation as a severe form of child abuse, impacting children's mental health and familial relationships during tumultuous times. The International Parental Alienation Study Group describes it as a condition in which children align with one parent to the detriment of the other, often leading to significant emotional and psychological consequences for the child involved. By removing parental alienation from consideration in custody cases, Kay warns that the bill could exacerbate existing family dynamics where one parent manipulates or alienates the child from the other parent.

The implications of Bill C-223 extend beyond individual families to affect broader societal views on child protection in custody disputes. By endorsing this legislation, Kay argues that the Canadian government risks endorsing a narrative that disregards children's welfare in favor of modern feminist ideologies, potentially resulting in a system that prioritizes adult agendas over the best interests of children. Kay’s critique calls into question the motivations behind such policy changes and urges lawmakers to reconsider the potential consequences of their legislative actions on vulnerable populations.