The Committee provided a useful forum for Canadians to speak to an issue that affects them personally. Over 500 witnesses testified at the public hearings and the Committee also studied hundred of briefs and letters from individuals, organizations and experts from the legal, mental health, child development, child protection and academic fields. The Committee s report For the Sake of the Children , which was released in December 1998, represents an important step towards addressing the problems children face when their parents divorce. The Government of Canada's Response to the Report of the Special Joint Committee on Child Custody and Access was tabled on May 10, 1999. The response outlines the Government's strategy for reform and defines four basic principles and six key directions for reform of the family law system that will be the subject of further research and consultation.
Family law is an area of joint federal provincial-territorial responsibility.
An Inventory of Government-Based Services that support the making and enforcement of Custody and Access decisions provides a current inventory of provincial and territorial government programs that support the making and enforcement of custody and access decisions. It is not intended to be a scientific or statistical study, nor an exhaustive list. Locations, names and phone numbers of those who run the programs are provided but only programs or services that are in force, or have a 1999 implementation target date, are included. Questions and Answers The Department of Justice Canada has published a booklet that provides basic information about the divorce process in Canada and also provides suggestions for obtaining more information in respect to family law issues. Technical Reports relating to custody and access issues.