Hundreds apply to see or block opening of adoption records

Just weeks after the New Brunswick government opened a century of adoption records there is growing interest from people who want to know more about their past, and those who want that information kept secret.

“Most adoptees just want to look in their birth mother’s eyes and say, ‘This is who I am’,” said Marie Crouse, president of Parent Finders New Brunswick. The volunteer organization helps adoptees and birth parents in the reunion process.

As of April 1, people can apply to the province for birth records related to adoption.

There have been more than 23,000 registered adoptions in New Brunswick, according to Anne Mooers, a spokeswoman for the Department of Social Development.

Mooers said that, as of this week, the department has received 112 applications for original registration of birth, and is taking about 30 calls and emails per day from people seeking more information.

But people can also request to block or limit contact with their birth parents or adoptee.

“The department has received 228 applications to register a disclosure veto and 40 applications to register a contact preference,” Mooers said.

Mooers says people who wish to block release of the information should “file disclosure vetoes as soon as possible,” as if there is no veto sent in then the information will be released to the applicant.

Garth McCrae of Woodstock, N.B., has applied to learn the identity of his birth parents and says just the thought that someone could block that effort is very upsetting.

“It is my human right. It is my information,” he said.

“I’m 53 years old and another adult can veto my information. I don’t think that is right.”