The Ministry of Attorney General for BC has just announced a public-engagement program for phase two of its project to modernize the Family Law Act. This program gives the public an opportunity to share its thoughts on ministry proposals for reform concerning the following topics:

• guardianship of children, parenting arrangements, and contact
• relocation of a child
• child-centred decision making
• children’s views and parenting assessments and reports
• family violence and protection orders

To support the public-engagement program, the ministry has published a discussion paper (PDF), an executive summary (PDF), and four online surveys:

• family violence and protection orders
• parenting assessment and views of the child reports
• time with and care of children
• Indigenous perspectives on family law

This public engagement is part of an ongoing ministry project “to update parts of the Family Law Act and make it work better for families.” The ministry’s goal is “[t]o make the Family Law Act clearer and more responsive to families’ needs.” Public engagement is open until 31 March 2024.

Update on BCLI parentage project: Consultation paper coming soon

BCLI is carrying out its own project in conjunction with the ministry’s phase-two project. This project is reviewing the law of parentage, as set out in part 3 of the Family Law Act. BCLI is currently preparing its own consultation paper, which will be the centrepiece of its planned public consultation on parentage. Watch the BCLI website or sign up for our newsletter to receive notice when the consultation paper is published.

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