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A senator from Quebec wants to make it illegal for parents to spank their children.

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There are sections of Canada's criminal code which address the use of force and striking children, but there is no specific mention of spanking.Under Section 43 of the code: Every school teacher, parent, or person standing in the place of a parent is justified in using force by way of correction toward a pupil or child, as the case may be, who is under his care, if the force does not exceed what is reasonable under the circumstances."

Is spanking your child OK or should the courts intervene?

Should the courts intervene for other forms of discipline such as grounding or cutting allowance?

Matt Antle, 21-year-old call centre employee from Moncton: "I think the courts should get involved if a parent spanks a child. They have to intervene for the protection of the child. It's never acceptable to spank a child under any circumstance. There's no need for it. Still, the courts have no business in those other situations. The parents have a good reason for grounding so they use it. The allowance is a reward for good behaviour. What are you going to do? They need some control."

Gaston LeBlanc, retired 57-year-old resident of Dieppe: "I don't think there's any reason to spank your child. Never. I just don't think it accomplishes anything and it's crazy to think you are going to punish bad behaviour with more bad behaviour. There are a lot better ways to handle a child than spanking them. I'm not sure if the courts have a further role when it comes to disciplining a child. You can't say yes and you can't say no. It has to be looked at on a case-to-case basis."

Joel Chavarie, 23-year-old accountant from Moncton: "Spanking's okay, but only to a certain extent. Society has to know what is acceptable and what is abusive. A little bit of spanking for discipline is something most of society accepts, but we will never accept abuse. Sometimes courts have to interfere if the children are being mistreated one way or another. You really have to look at it caseby- case. There are major violations that have to be dealt with by the courts."

Shriz Baboo, 41-year-old IT specialist from Moncton: "At times, spanking may be called for, but it is not something a parent should resort to on a regular basis. If I have a kid who is always running out in traffic and you tell him to stop, but if he doesn't you may have to spank him a little. It's better that the parent spank him on the butt than he gets hit by a truck. As far as the courts go, they can't get involved in other forms of discipline. It's a dangerous way to go."

Linda Friars, 52-year-old marketing specialist and visitor from Brampton, Ont.: "It depends on what type of spanking is involved and what the situation is. If your spanking to make a point and not to harm them then it's probably okay. The only thing you should be harming is their pride and when you hurt their pride, the discipline is going to be effective. I don't believe the spanking should harm them physically. "

Heather Ayles, 33-year-old service industry worker from Moncton: "A little spanking never hurt. Today, some people call a little spank on the butt child abuse. What's wrong with a parent slapping the hand of a child if he's slapping his brother? The parents need to control their children and sometimes a little tap is what they need. Giving the courts more control? Please! Let the parents discipline their kids. "

Debra Enns, 50-year-old retired resident of Winnipeg: "I don't think it is right to spank a child for any reason, but I am not sure how much the courts can get involved either. There are better ways of dealing with problems with your children than hitting them. You can't correct bad behaviour with more bad behaviour. It's never going to work and it sets a bad example. The courts can't get involved in other forms of discipline. I'm just going to leave it at that."

Norma Vautour, 58-yearold project assistant from Moncton: "It all depends on the circumstances you are talking about. I certainly never believe in striking a child with a belt or a stick or anything like that. Certainly, though, a little slap on the bottom to get them to move or to make your point isn't going too far. I don't think the courts have a role in other forms of discipline. It's up to the parents if they want to ground their children or take away their allowance.