Bill C-78 Divorce Act Webinar

The Bill C-78 Divorce Act Changes: What you need to know

Substantial changes to the Divorce Act come into force on March 1, 2021. Experts from the Family and Children’s Law Team, Department of Justice Canada, are offering free virtual training to provide you with an overview of the amendments.

This course will be helpful to those who need an introduction to the amendments and to those who need a refresher on the eve of implementation.

Due to demand, additional sessions have been added. but have since filled. Please keep checking the website for new dates and times.

New Notice and Practice Directive

Provincial Court

Child Protection Hearings (October 1, 2020)

Further to previous notices, the Provincial Court is notifying the profession that in communities where the court has not resumed sitting, the child protection dockets will continue to sit in the court centres for the month of October.

This includes the communities of; Steinbach, Beausejour, Pine Falls, Peguis First Nation, Emerson, Portage la Prairie, Dauphin, Bloodvein, Cross Lake, Norway House and Little Grand Rapids. Details of dockets that will be sitting in Winnipeg, and The Pas are provided.

The notice also gives instructions for when a party may be in custody and requires transportation to the courtroom. It also asks that whenever possible, for persons in custody they appear by video to avoid the need to quarantine, to reduce delays.


For a list of all notices and practice directions related to COVID-19 visit manitobacourts.mb.ca/covid-19/

Manitoba Government to create new Family Resolution Service

The government of Manitoba has announced that they will be launching the first phase of a family law service that will ensure services are more accessible and affordable to Manitobans.

The news release posted here lists new features for families that include:

  • early resolution support services delivered by family guides with expertise in domestic violence and safety planning, conflict resolution and mediation, family law and court processes.
  • navigation assistance to other culturally and linguistically appropriate specialized services, which could include a new Child Support Service, Legal Aid, expanded enforcement or other financial, legal or health and social services.
  • self-service tools and a resource inventory that is searchable by region and issue.
  • support to complete any prerequisites for court.
  • allows families to access support electronically.

The notice also mentions changes coming to the The Family Law Modernization Act, which will “expand the role of the Child Support Recalculation Service and give it the authority to make initial child support decisions in a broad range of cases, such as changes in employment, without going to court. “

5th Annual Child Protection Program

November 29, 2019 │ 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Law Society Classroom, 3rd Flr., 260 St. Mary Avenue, Winnipeg
 
Register Now 
6 CPD hours, including 1 EPPM hour

Given the interconnectedness of the individuals involved in child protection cases, most often it is better to strive for resolution rather than litigation. This year’s program will focus on the need for counsel to adopt a modern, collaborative approach to child protection matters.

Topics will include:
-Drug Testing and Reading
-Lessons from Dauphin Provincial Court
-Intake Court and How to Prepare an Effective Brief
-Resources Available to Families Throughout the Province
-Mama Mawi Wi Chi Itata – Family Group Conferencing 

Presenters Include:
From Other Professions
Dr. Ginette Poulin, Addictions Foundation of Manitoba
Bruce Harper, Absolute Testing Inc.
Jackie Anderson, Mama Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre

From the Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench
The Honourable Madam Justice Gwen B. Hatch (Family Division)
The Honourable Madam Justice Kaye E. Dunlop (Family Division)
Senior Master Rick Lee

From Manitoba Provincial Court
The Honourable Judge Christine Harapiak
The Honourable Judge Alain Huberdeau

Counsel
Lynda Grimes, Overall, Grimes
Kris Janovcik, Tapper Cuddy LLP
David Joycey, Barrister & Solicitor
Darryl Buxton, Myers LLP
Michael Clark, Myers LLP
Karen Webb, Burgess Law Office
Desiree Dorion, Dawson & Bretecher
Meredith Mitchell, Legal Aid Manitoba – Agassiz Law Office
Terrance DeLaronde, Cochrane Saxberg, Barristers & Solicitors
Spencer Weisensel, Legal Aid Manitoba – Northlands Community Law Centre
Eligibility For CPD Hours: This program may be reported for up to 6 hours of eligible CPD activity, including 1 hours of EPPM.

The library will be closed on Good Friday, March 29.
The courthouse will be closed on Monday, April 1 but the library will be open for remote requests.