Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)
Through Budget 2025, Alberta’s government is investing an additional $3.2 million for a total of $11.2 million for the Family Justice Strategy to give more Albertans a streamlined and consistent process to access family justice services. The Family Justice Strategy helps families resolve matters outside the courts to reduce the stress on children and parents during an already difficult time.
“We’re making it easier for Albertans to resolve family matters by expanding access to pre-court services. This investment means more communities will benefit from simpler, faster supports that put families first.”
This additional funding will support an expansion of the strategy to Grande Prairie, Stony Plain, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Leduc and Fort Saskatchewan. The Family Justice Strategy directs Albertans to pre-court services that help people either avoid making a court appearance or better understand the process if they do go to court.
This includes:
- Forms of dispute resolution such as mediation, where people meet with a neutral mediator to discuss issues including parenting, child support and spousal support.
- An online Parenting After Separation course for all parents with minor children.
- A meeting with a family court counsellor for anyone representing themselves.
These services are meant to help Albertans resolve their family law issues in a manner that emphasizes the best interests of the child, lessens the hardship between separating parents and promotes family wellness.
“The continued expansion of the Alberta Family Justice Strategy throughout the province represents a significant achievement in the collective efforts of justice sector partners. We look forward to continued innovations in our justice system, which will serve to improve court processes and advance access to justice for Alberta families.”
After launching in Edmonton and Calgary in December 2023, the Family Justice Strategy was implemented in Red Deer on March 17. Since the strategy was launched, more than 69,000 Albertans have accessed pre-court services helping them resolve their family law issues.
Quick facts
- There was a 33 per cent increase in the number of matters resolved by Alberta Justice dispute resolution programs, such as mediation, in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2023.
- Since its launch, 42,536 Albertans have accessed the Alberta Family Resolution Hub.
- The Family Resolution Hub supports the Family Justice Strategy by giving Albertans an online tool for discovering their options and next steps to resolve a legal family dispute.
Related information
- Family Resolution Hub
Related news
- Empowering Albertans dealing with family law matters (April 15, 2024)
- Increasing access to family justice services (Dec. 1, 2023)