Submission to BC Supreme Court includes recommendations to enhance the provision and administration of Judicial Case Conferences

Updated with responses from the Chiefs of all three B.C. courts.

On January 12, CBABC delivered a letter to the Attorney General highlighting concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the proposed legislation for a single regulator for lawyers, notaries and paralegals. 

CBABC delivered a submission to the Ministry of Attorney General with recommendations to improve the section 211 reporting process under the Family Law Act.

The Attorney General and Minister of Children and Family Development responded to a submission urging the BC government to fully implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

On October 26, 2023, the Money Judgment Enforcement Act received royal assent, streamlining the currently outdated and inefficient process in BC.

On October 3, 2023, the BC government amended the Family Law Act and the Provincial Court Family Rules impacting orders and agreements about companion animals.

CBABC delivered a submission to the British Columbia Law Institute responding to their Consultation Paper on AI and Civil Liability.

The submission encourages the BC government to develop a plan to implement their obligations under the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child.

CBABC has delivered a submission to the Ministry of Citizens’ Services to endorse the Creating Safety in BC Courts Report by Rise Women’s Legal Centre.

On June 23, CBABC delivered a submission to the Ministry of Attorney General recommending a more intentional approach to the design of virtual courtrooms.  

The provincial government recently tabled Bill 17, the Family Law Amendment Act, 2023, which reflects CBABC advocacy on property division and spousal support.

The Government has responded to CBABC’s briefing note on section 203 of the Family Law Act, which recommends changes to reduce existing barriers in appointing counsel to assist children.

In 2021, the Government formed a Special Committee to reform the Police Act. A public consultation was conducted and the final report of this Special Committee has now been published, along with recommendations for modernizing the legislation and policies around policing in BC.

CBABC has made a request to the Deputy Attorney General to amend section 203 of the Family Law Act. The current section creates a higher threshold to meet before the court can order a legal representative for a child who is involved in a family law matter. The proposed amendment would align the BC legislation with other jurisdictions by removing barriers to appointing counsel to assist children with their rights.

The Law Society of BC (LSBC) reviewed a report of their Access to Justice Advisory Committee in the fall of 2021 which looked into ways to improve access to justice in family law disputes. CBABC prepared a written submission with recommendations and further considerations for both LSBC and the BC Government as improvements are made to alleviate challenges for those needing to resolve family law matters.

The Rules of Contempt are under review by the BC Supreme Court Civil and Family Rules Committee (Rules Committee). The existing rules are outdated and do not reflect the range of options that are used under the court’s inherent jurisdiction when a court order is violated.

CBABC requests that the Province of British Columbia commit to meaningful change to address systemic inequality. Indigenous communities deserve a unique and collaborative approach to justice that addresses the issues prevalent within their population.

CBABC’s Family Law Working Group has prepared this submission which contains recommendations to modernize the child protection system in BC. Legislative and policy reform is long overdue, and change is needed to protect the most vulnerable in our society. This submission highlights the most critical issues and establishes a plan designed minimize harm to children who are part of this system.

CBABC was invited to present before the Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services as part of a public consultation by the provincial government for the 2022 budget.

As the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a digital transformation of BC’s court system, access to justice increased, but some people are being left behind. CBABC identifies those people, suggests some considerations to follow, and invites dialogue with the courts, Court Services, Justice Services and the Law Society of BC to ensure no one is left behind.

On July 9, 2021, CBABC delivered its final submissions to the Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in British Columbia. CBABC received joint standing with the Criminal Defense Advocacy Society to participate in the Commission in the fall of 2019. Our participation and submissions were not to overlap with those of the Law Society of BC.

CBABC responds to a call for public comment on a consultation paper from BC Law Institute to modernize the Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA) for the government to reform BC’s main child protection law.