Albertans have told their government that it is time to reduce the confusion caused by two levels of court and to help expedite the process so that these families can get on with their lives. I have also heard directly from individuals who tell me that changes need to be made. Unified Family Courts One approach to deal with the problems generated by the split jurisdiction of the Provincial Court and the Court of Queen's Bench is to look at a single forum for family law matters including the possibility of a unified family court. Seven provinces in Canada currently have a unified family court in place in one form or another as do other places such as Australia, New Zealand and parts of the United States. Considerations for Family Court reform One factor which will need to be examined during our review of the family court structure is what types of issues should be included in the jurisdiction of any potential new court.
Some areas seem to be more obvious than others.
Issues of divorce, custody, access, guardianship, child and spousal support would likely be included. Issues relating to young offenders, child welfare and dependent adults may need some special considerations. Complicating the issue of what types of matters should be dealt with by a unified court is our Constitution. In some of these jurisdictions, provincial court judges still hear matters in certain locales to ensure access throughout the province. The authority of such judges is limited to matters within the jurisdiction of the Provincial Court.