National family justice review

AI summary

Petitioners ask Government to launch a comprehensive national review of Canada's family justice system (federal jurisdiction), collaborate with provinces and territories, assess delays, children's safety, family violence, access and interagency consistency, and publish reform recommendations.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the Government of Canada Children experience time differently than adults, and months or years of uncertainty, conflict and court delay can represent a significant portion of a child's childhood; Canada's family justice system should place children's safety, stability, well-being and meaningful participation at the centre of decisions affecting them; Families can face prolonged proceedings, significant financial and emotional hardship, barriers to accessing justice, inconsistent processes and difficulties navigating multiple courts, agencies and professionals; Concerns involving family violence, coercive control, child abuse, parental alienation, family estrangement and children's safety require timely, impartial and evidence-based assessment; and Greater consistency and coordination are needed among the laws, policies, procedures, agencies and professionals affecting children and families. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: Establish a comprehensive national review of Canada's family justice system within federal jurisdiction and work collaboratively with provinces and territories on matters within their respective jurisdictions; Examine court delays, children's safety and participation, family violence and child protection, access to justice and affordability, self-represented litigants, enforcement of family court orders, accountability and professional standards, and consistency among courts, child protection agencies, police, schools, legal professionals, health professionals and other services affecting families; and Publish findings and recommendations identifying legislative, policy and procedural reforms needed to create a more timely, consistent, accessible, accountable and child-focused family justice system in Canada.

Government response

No government response is available yet.