But no funding has been committed to address increased demands on mediators, arbitrators and family justice counsellors

The Province of British Columbia’s new Family Law Act took effect on March 18, 2013, replacing the Family Relations Act, which has governed family law in the province for the past 35 years. The new Act makes a number of significant changes to the law which, it is hoped, will better protect women’s equality, safety, and rights in family law cases. It includes a range of legal changes to areas such as property rights, family violence, protecting children, and dispute resolution.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond said in a statement that “the Family Law Act is about addressing the needs of modern B.C. families and adapting to shifts in society. Most importantly, it’s about ensuring children’s interests and safety are given the utmost priority when families go through the emotional process of separation and divorce.”

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C.’s official representative for children and youth, said:

“I welcome the implementation of the new Family Law Act. We have a fresh chance to build a system in the best interests of children and can now extend some stronger protections for vulnerable family members, such as mothers facing domestic violence and requiring the support of police and society for her safety and that of her children. I look forward to supporting this legislation and believe it will help us strengthen our system for children and families.”

The changes to family law have also won praise from women’s-rights advocates. Laura Track, executive director of West Coast LEAF, a non-profit working to establish women’s equality in Canada, said “Violence against women in relationships remains a massive social problem in British Columbia. We applaud the new legislation’s focus on this crucial issue for women’s equality, and we will be watching carefully to see how these provisions are interpreted and applied by the courts.”

West Coast LEAF points out, however, that no funding has been committed to address the increased demands on mediators, arbitrators and family justice counsellors that the Act is sure to create. Nor has any commitment been made to increasing legal aid to allow parties to access and enforce the rights that the new Act protects.

We speak with Laura Track, executive director of West Coast LEAF.

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RELATED | The Straight: B.C. Family Law Act changes rules for couples and wins praise from advocates (March 18, 2013) | B.C. Government: B.C. celebrates new Family Law Act’s significance (March 18, 2013) | The Globe and Mail: The law has now pronounced you husband and wife (March 17, 2013) |