Department of Justice

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PARTNERS WITH PROVINCES
IN UNIFYING FAMILY COURT SERVICES

OTTAWA, March 19, 1998 -- Fulfilling the federal government’s 1997 Budget promise to support the creation and expansion of unified family courts across Canada, Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today introduced amendments to the Judges Act in the House of Commons that, subject to Parliament’s approval, will pave the way for 27 new federally-appointed judges for unified family courts in four provinces.

The legislation follows an invitation to all provinces to express interest in the new judicial resources and several months of work with Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Newfoundland to develop court models that will provide extensive community and other services to families, and make the best use of judicial resources. Women’s groups and other parties have also been consulted.

As a result of these discussions, Newfoundland and Saskatchewan will each receive one new UFC judge, Nova Scotia will receive eight new judges and Ontario will receive seventeen. This brings UFCs to half the residents of Newfoundland and Ontario, most of the residents of Saskatchewan, and marks a strong beginning in Nova Scotia.

"Having a single place, a unified family court, where family members can find judicial and other services to help them resolve all legal issues is an excellent way of helping families, and especially their children. It’s a single-window concept for legal and other services with simplified procedures, in a user-friendly environment," said Minister McLellan.

Savings to the provinces resulting from the new appointments will allow participating provinces to spend more on family service programs that support the work of unified courts. Easier access to services from the supporting professions, either within the courts themselves or within the community, will help families resolve their problems in a timely, more amicable and less stressful way, and reduce the potential for further conflict.

"Unified family courts are an innovative way of structuring judicial and related services for families that allows the federal government to partner with provinces and put federal monies to excellent use on behalf of families and for the long term benefit of taxpayers in general," said Minister McLellan.

Partnering with provinces and territories to support unified family courts is an element of a broad federal strategy to help children and families in need. Other complementary initiatives designed to support families and protect children include: child support guidelines that help determine appropriate amounts of financial assistance for child support on marriage breakdown; the National Child Benefit; the National Crime Prevention Council’s strategy for an integrated, community-based approach to crime prevention; and tax relief for low- and middle-income Canadians announced in the recent Budget.

These amendments to the Judges Act are accessible on the Department of Justice’s Internet homepage, under the heading "Government Bills".

-30-

Ref.:     Johanne Senécal         Judith Bellis 
          Minister’s Office       Department of Justice
          (613) 992-4621          (613) 941-2321