Methodology

The process to obtain information on publicly-funded, out-of-court dispute resolution services in Canada began with a document review and internet research to identify services and programs that were potentially within scope. Information available from online sources was recorded in a template for each service, by province and territory. Next, the Department of Justice Canada invited members of the FPT Co-ordinating Committee of Senior Officials – Family (CCSO)Footnote 2 to identify key informants to be interviewed regarding programs and services in their jurisdiction.

A total of 16 programs in 11 of Canada’s 13 jurisdictions were identified as being in-scope and included in this research. New Brunswick confirmed there are no publicly-funded, out-of-court dispute resolution services provided in that province. The researcher was unable to establish contact with a representative from Nunavut. are:

Table 1. The programs included in this research

Table 1. The programs included in this research
British Columbia
  • Family Justice Services Division’s Family Dispute Resolution
Alberta
  • Family Mediation; King’s Bench Child Support Resolution Program
  • Family Court Assistance
Saskatchewan
  • Dispute Resolution Office Family Mediation Program
  • Legal Aid Saskatchewan Family Mediation
Manitoba
  • Family Resolution Services
  • Legal Aid Manitoba Collaborative Law
Ontario
  • Family Mediation and Information Services
  • Legal Aid Ontario
Québec
  • Service de médiation familiale
Nova Scotia
  • Conciliation through Supreme Court
Prince Edward Island
  • Child Focused Parenting Plan Mediation
  • Child Support Services Office
Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Family Justice Services
Yukon
  • Yukon Family Mediation Service
Northwest Territories
  • Family Law Mediation Program

The researcher arranged to conduct structured key informant interviews using Microsoft Teams. The interviews focused on confirming the initial internet research results for each program and discussing additional questions. After the interview, the researcher provided a draft version of the combined internet research and interview to interviewees so that the information could be reviewed for accuracy. Fourteen interviews were conducted with representatives of jurisdictions and legal aid programs. A staff member of the Department of Justice Canada conducted the interview with the representative of Québec in French on behalf of the researcher.