The Alberta government is improving access to family justice services through its Family Justice Strategy, which focuses on pre-court dispute resolution services to simplify processes and reduce stress. This strategy includes an additional $3.2 million investment in 2025, bringing the total investment to $11.2 million. Key steps include expanding access to services like mediation, an online Parenting After Separation course, and support from family court counsellors for self-represented parties. The initiative aims to provide uniform support across Alberta’s courts.
Under the present regime, family justice services vary across different courts, creating disparities in access. Alberta’s newly introduced Family Justice Strategy aligns services across the Alberta Court of Justice and the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta, ensuring that Albertans can access uniform services, regardless of the court or legislation governing their case. The new strategy aims to help those representing themselves in divorces, spousal support agreements, parenting arrangements, or child support orders.
This will have a profound impact on families navigating separation and divorce by offering accessible, child-centered support outside the courtroom.