Inventory of Family Justice Services		Reports / Research		Resources for parents

Children need their parents' love, attention and financial support, as well as a safe environment. The Government of Canada continues to recognise that children's needs come first after separation and divorce.

In Canada, the federal government shares responsibility with the provinces and territories for family law matters. When making decisions about children after separation and divorce, the federal Divorce Act applies to parents who were married and are now divorced or are planning to divorce. Provincial or territorial laws apply to parents who were never married or are not planning to divorce.

On this web site, you will find:

• An outline of the Government of Canada's proposed Child-centred Family Justice Strategy;
• Information and resources for parents about the current system; and
• Research and reports on parenting arrangements after separation and divorce.

The Government of Canada's Child-centred Family Justice Strategy aims to:

• Minimize the potential negative impact of separation and divorce on children.
• Provide parents with the tools they need to reach parenting arrangements that are in the child's best interests.
• Ensures that the legal process is less adversarial; only the most difficult cases will go to court.

The Strategy is composed of three pillars: family justice services; legislative reform; and the expansion of Unified Family Courts.