Province to commit $8 million to help Albertans resolve family law issues, including $3 million for Red Deer

Speaking in Red Deer on April 15, Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, says there will also be a Family Justice Strategy investment for central Alberta.

“We also want to expand this strategy beyond Alberta’s two largest cities to give even more Albertans a simpler way to resolve family law issues,” says Amery. “To support this goal, Budget 2024 includes an additional $3 million for family justice services to bring the Family Justice Strategy to the people of Red Deer.”

The province says the strategy’s goal is to increase access to crucial pre-court services such as mediation and counseling for families seeking a divorce, or resolving spousal support, parenting or child support issues. They say the funding will ensure families in Red Deer and surrounding communities have the support they need to resolve family law matters quickly.

Amery notes the investment will be used to staff the program.

“This investment will go toward hiring staff, including such as additional mediators, family court councilors and information services staff.”

Family lawyer Bud Melnyk, K.C., sees the program as having the potential to make the justice system more efficient.

“As a family lawyer, I understand the profound impact legal proceedings can have on individuals and families.” says Melnyk. “By providing alternative forms of resolution for family matters and streamlining the family justice system, we can begin to build a more compassionate system that better supports all Albertans.”

“The Canadian Bar Association Alberta Branch supports the expansion of the Alberta Family Justice Strategy, which moves our province closer to having a fully unified family court system.” says Kyle Kawanami, president, Canadian Bar Association, Alberta Branch. “We look forward to continued innovations in this area, which will serve to improve court processes and advance access to justice for Alberta families.”

The province says the rollout of the Family Justice Strategy in Red Deer will begin now, with full implementation expected by the end of the year.

Click the link below to watch the press conference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25uISVZkXqU

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by Jordan Rein

Province to commit $8 million to help Albertans resolve family law issues, including $3 million for Red Deer

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