The Divorce Act Changes Explained

Miscellaneous

Ministerial activities
(Section 25.2, Divorce Act)

New section

The Act is amended by adding the following after section 25.1:

Ministerial activities

25.2 The Minister of Justice may conduct activities related to matters governed by this Act, including undertaking research.
Old section

None.

What is the change

The amendment provides explicit authority to conduct activities such as research related to Divorce Act matters.

Reason for the change

As part of the Minister’s responsibility for the administration of the Divorce Act, a general authority exists for federal activities in relation to matters governed by the Act, such as conducting research. The amendment makes this authority explicit and therefore more transparent. Research provides valuable information for program and policy discussions, and establishes a sound basis for program and policy development. This research also supports Justice Canada’s publication of general legal information about divorce and family law for public use.

When

This provision came into force on June 21, 2019.