Major Changes Ahead for B.C. Family Law

The Province reports: B.C. proposes sweeping legal changes for separation, divorce, child custody:

Highlights of the government white paper on proposed changes to the Family Relations Act:

• Structure the law so that court is not the only implied starting point.

• Promote a broader range of non-court dispute resolution options.

• Adopt a conflict-prevention approach to family-law disputes.

• Increase the law’s ability to deal with family violence and safety issues.

• Use less adversarial terminology.

Also under consideration are revisions the the B.C. Family Relations Act that will provide common law spouses with the same property entitlements as married spouses, a parenting coordination focus with respect to child residency issues, and mandatory mediation by separating spouses prior to the commencement of court proceedings.

- Garry J. Wise, Toronto

Visit our Toronto Law Firm website: www.wiselaw.net

EMPLOYMENT LAW • CIVIL LITIGATION • WILLS AND ESTATES • FAMILY LAW & DIVORCE

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B.C. Government Moves to Reduce Restaurant Trans Fats

From CBC News:

B.C. will become the first province in Canada to restrict trans fat in foods prepared and served at restaurants, Mary Polak, the minister of Healthy Living and Sport, announced Saturday.

The province is hoping to squeeze out the majority of trans fat from restaurants, delis, bakeries, cafeterias, schools and health-care institutions by this fall.

... All food service establishments that need a permit to operate in B.C. will be required to comply with the new regulation by Sept. 30, 2009.

- Garry J. Wise, Toronto

Visit our Toronto Law Firm website: www.wiselaw.net

EMPLOYMENT LAW • CIVIL LITIGATION • WILLS AND ESTATES • FAMILY LAW & DIVORCE

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT WISE LAW BLOG • SUBSCRIBE TO WISE LAW BLOG

B.C. Court of Appeal: No Fundamental Right to Civil Legal Aid

The British Columbian Court of Appeal expressly ruled yesterday that Canadians have no fundmental right to government-funded legal aid assistance in civil matters.

Madame Justice Mary Saunders delivered the Court's Reasons for Judgment: which upheld the September 2006 dismissal of a B.C. court action by the Canadian Bar Association "to force governments to provide adequate civil legal aid to poor people,"

Access to legal services is fundamentally important in any free and democratic society. In some cases, it has been found essential to due process and a fair trial. But a review of the constitutional text, the jurisprudence and the history of the concept does not support the respondent's contention that there is a broad general right to legal counsel as an aspect of, or precondition to, the rule of law.

Costs were also awarded against the C.B.A.

- Garry J. Wise, Toronto

Visit our Toronto Law Firm website: www.wiselaw.net

EMPLOYMENT LAW • CIVIL LITIGATION • WILLS AND ESTATES • FAMILY LAW & DIVORCE