WHEREAS the National Family Law Section has brought to the attention of the Minister of Justice the continuing need for family law services within the justice system in Canada;
WHEREAS the needs of Canadians experiencing family breakdown extend beyond the strict confines of legal representation and judicial intervention, and require counselling, mediation, parent education, professional assessment services, and special intervention with and representation of children caught in family conflict;
WHEREAS the families struggling with conflict who are turning to the justice system are poorly served by the current maze of ad hoc programs and pilot projects available inconsistently or not at all;
WHEREAS administration of the justice system continues to be hampered by intensely conflictual family disputes over children;
WHEREAS the needs of an increasing number of children caught in the family conflict are not being effectively addressed;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Canadian Bar Association urge the federal, provincial and territorial governments to provide fully funded mediation, counselling, parent education, professional assessment and child-centered services throughout Canada, focused on assisting families with the resolution of their disputes in a caring and constructive manner, irrespective of whether they have commenced litigation.
Certified true copy of a resolution carried as amended by the Council of the Canadian Bar Association at the Annual Meeting held in London ON, August 10-11, 2002.
John D.V. Hoyles
Executive Director/Directeur exécutif