Training for professionals
In June 2019, the Government of Canada made changes to federal family laws. Although some of the Divorce Act amendments came into force upon Royal Assent, most of the amendments will come into force on March 1, 2021.
The Department of Justice Canada has been developing a series of online courses about the recent amendments. They have been prepared with legal advisers in mind, but will also be helpful to anyone wanting to understand more about the new legislation. These courses provide a detailed explanation of the new provisions along with links to helpful resources developed by the Department of Justice Canada. Law Society accreditation information will be provided for each course.
This page will be updated with additional courses as soon as they become available.
Introduction to Federal Family Law Amendments
The first course in this series is Introduction to Federal Family Law Amendments. While this course focuses primarily on the amendments to the Divorce Act, it also briefly describes amendments made to the Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act and the changes relating to two international Conventions touching on matters of family law.
Duration: 75 minutes
- Module 1: Introduction to the Legislative Amendments
- Module 2: Division of Federal and Provincial Responsibilities for Family Law
- Module 3: Parenting and the Best Interests of the Child
- Module 4: Addressing Family Violence
- Module 5: Changes to Support Enforcement
- Module 6: Changes to Promote Dispute Resolution and Improve Processes Under the Divorce Act
- Module 7: Duties of Legal Advisers and Parties
Accreditation by Law Societies:
- Barreau du Québec (BQ): This activity may be eligible for up to 1.25 hours of continuing education content
- Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC): This activity counts for up to 1.25 hours; a minimum of 0.5 hours will involve aspects of professional responsibility and ethics, and/or practice management
- Law Society of New Brunswick (LSNB): This activity is accredited for 1.5 MCPD hours
- Law Society of Saskatchewan (LSS): This activity is accredited for 1.5 CPD hours which includes 0.5 Ethics hours
- Law Society of Ontario (LSO): This activity is accredited for 25 minutes of Professionalism Content and may be eligible for up to 50 minutes of Substantive content
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Family violence and family law for legal advisers
This course is aimed at helping legal advisers work effectively with clients who have experienced family violence. It provides information about family violence and family law and explains changes to the Divorce Act relating to family violence.
Duration: 3 hours
Topics covered:
- Module 1: Family Violence and Family Law Overview
- Module 2: The Gendered and Intersectional Nature of Family Violence
- Module 3: The Impact of Family Violence
- Module 4: Disclosure of Family Violence
- Module 5: Parenting Arrangements in Cases of Family Violence
- Module 6: Family Violence, Family Dispute Resolution and Litigation
Accreditation by Law Societies:
- Barreau du Quebec (BQ): This activity may be eligible for up to 3 hours of continuing education content (but ultimately it is the lawyer’s responsibility to determine whether it fits the BQ’s regulation concerning mandatory continuing education activities)
- Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC): The Department of Justice Canada (Legal Practices Policy Division - LPPD) is a pre-approved provider, this activity counts for up to 3 hours
- Law Society of New Brunswick (LSNB): This activity is accredited for 3 MCPD hours
- Law Society of Ontario (LSO): This activity may be eligible for up to 3 hours of Substantive content (but ultimately it is the lawyer’s responsibility to determine whether the activity qualifies under the LSO’s CPD Requirement regarding the Substantive content)
- Law Society of Saskatchewan (LSS): This activity is accredited for 3 CPD hours
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Parenting under the New Divorce Act
This course provides an overview of the amendments to the Divorce Act related to parenting including the new parenting terminology and best interests of the child criteria. It is intended to help legal advisers understand the child-focused approach of the Divorce Act’s parenting provisions and the impact of family violence on parenting arrangements.
Duration: 3 hours
Topics covered:
- Module 1: Duties of Parties
- Module 2: Jurisdiction
- Module 3: Family Dispute Resolution Process
- Module 4: Changes in Parenting Terminology
- Module 5: Relocation and Changes in Residence
- Module 6: Best Interests of the Child – Determining the Best Parenting Arrangement
- Module 7: Family violence
Accreditation by Law Societies:
- Barreau du Québec (BQ) : This activity may be eligible for up to 3 hours of continuing education content (but ultimately it is the lawyer’s responsibility to determine whether it fits the BQ’s regulation concerning mandatory continuing education activities);
- Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC): The Department of Justice Canada (Legal Practices Policy Division - LPPD) is a pre-approved provider, this activity counts for up to 3 hours;
- Law Society of New Brunswick (LSNB): This activity is accredited for 3 MCPD hours
- Law Society of Saskatchewan (LSS): This activity is accredited for 3 CPD hours.
- Law Society of Ontario (LSO): This activity may be eligible for up to 3 hours of Substantive content (but ultimately it is the lawyer’s responsibility to determine whether the activity qualifies under the LSO’s CPD;
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Family dispute resolution and duties for parties to a proceeding and legal advisers under the new Divorce Act
This online course focuses on family dispute resolution and the new duties for parties and legal advisers under the Divorce Act. This course will also address the amendments to the Act that encourage parties to use family dispute resolution processes and family justice services.
Duration: 3 hours
This course is designed to increase your understanding about:
- Changes to the Divorce Act
- Most common family dispute resolution processes
- Factors that may assist in choosing a family dispute resolution process
- Family justice services available to families who are experiencing separation or divorce
Accreditation by Law Societies:
- Barreau du Québec (BQ): This activity may be eligible for up to 3 hours of continuing education content (but ultimately it is the lawyer’s responsibility to determine whether it fits the BQ’s regulation concerning mandatory continuing education activities);
- Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC): The Department of Justice Canada (Legal Practices Policy Division - LPPD) is a pre-approved provider, this activity counts for up to 3 hours;
- Law Society of New Brunswick (LSNB): application in process;
- Law Society of Saskatchewan (LSS): This activity is accredited for 3 CPD hours.
- Law Society of Ontario (LSO): application in process;
Contact Us
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Relocation under the Divorce Act
This course is designed to increase legal advisers’ knowledge and understanding of the new change of residence and relocation framework in the Divorce Act. It focuses on the procedures people must follow in relation to moves and the principles a court will apply in making a decision about a child’s relocation.
Duration: 2 hours
Topics covered
- Module 1: Relocation framework - Overview
- Module 2: What is a relocation?
- Module 3: Notice
- Module 4: Once notice has been given
- Module 5: How the court will determine whether to permit the relocation
- Module 6: Parenting time expenses
- Module 7: Contact orders and changes of residence
Accreditation by Law Societies
- Barreau du Quebec (BQ): This activity may be eligible for up to 2 hours of continuing education content (but ultimately it is the lawyer’s responsibility to determine whether it fits the BQ’s regulation concerning mandatory continuing education activities)
- Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC): The Department of Justice Canada (Legal Practices Policy Division - LPPD) is a pre-approved provider, this activity counts for up to 2 hours
- Law Society of New Brunswick (LSNB): This activity is accredited for 2 MCPD hours
- Law Society of Ontario (LSO): This activity may be eligible for up to 2 hours of Substantive content (but ultimately it is the lawyer’s responsibility to determine whether the activity qualifies under the LSO’s CPD Requirement regarding the Substantive content)
- Law Society of Saskatchewan (LSS): This activity is accredited for 2 CPD hours
Contact Us
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