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Alberta expands family justice strategy to more municipalities

By Ian Burns ·

Law360 Canada (July 24, 2025, 3:42 PM EDT) -- The Alberta government is expanding its family justice strategy — which aims to give Albertans a more streamlined and consistent process to access family justice services — to more municipalities in the province.

The province is investing an additional $3.2 million — for a total of $11.2 million — to bring the strategy to Grande Prairie, Stony Plain, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Leduc and Fort Saskatchewan. The strategy, which was launched in Edmonton and Calgary in December 2023, directs Albertans to pre-court services that help people either avoid making a court appearance or better understand the process if they do go to court.

“We’re making it easier for Albertans to resolve family matters by expanding access to pre-court services,” said Alberta Justice Minister and Attorney General Mickey Amery. “This investment means more communities will benefit from simpler, faster supports that put families first.”

Photo of Alberta Justice Minister and Attorney General Mickey Amery

Alberta Justice Minister and Attorney General Mickey Amery

The family justice strategy includes access to mediation services, an online parenting-after-separation course for all parents with minor children, and a meeting with a family court counsellor for anyone representing themselves. The province said more than 69,000 Albertans have accessed pre-court services to help them resolve their family law issues since the strategy was launched.

Robert D.L. Bassett, president of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) Alberta Branch, said the strategy’s continued expansion throughout the province represents a significant achievement in the collective efforts of justice sector partners.

“We look forward to continued innovations in our justice system, which will serve to improve court processes and advance access to justice for Alberta families,” he said.

More information about family law assistance in Alberta can be found here.

If you have any information, story ideas or news tips for Law360 Canada, please contact Ian Burns at Ian.Burns@lexisnexis.ca or call 905-415-5906.