The finances facilitate the strategy’s expansion to areas like Grande Prairie and Stony Plain
The Alberta government has made an additional investment of $3.2 million into the Family Justice Strategy via Budget 2025.
This brings the government's total investment in the strategy up to $11.2 million. The strategy aims to help families resolve issues out of court by pointing Albertans to pre-court services that assist them in avoiding court appearances or improving their understanding of court processes.
Pre-court services offered through the Family Justice Strategy include dispute resolution methods like mediation for issues involving parenting and child and spousal support. A Parental After Separation course is also available to parents with minor children, and self-represented parties are entitled to meet with a family court counsellor.
According to the Alberta government, these services focus on children’s best interests, ease the separation process for parents, and champion family wellness.
“We’re making it easier for Albertans to resolve family matters by expanding access to pre-court services. This investment means more communities will benefit from simpler, faster supports that put families first,” said Mickey Amery, Alberta’s justice minister and attorney general, in a statement.
The extra finances will facilitate the strategy’s expansion to Grande Prairie, Stony Plain, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Leduc, and Fort Saskatchewan.
"The continued expansion of the Alberta Family Justice Strategy throughout the province represents a significant achievement in the collective efforts of justice sector partners,” said Robert D.L. Bassett, Canadian Bar Association - Alberta branch president. “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."
The Family Justice Strategy debuted in Edmonton and Calgary in December 2023. It expanded to Red Deer on March 17. Since its establishment, the strategy has helped over 69,000 Albertans to access pre-court services.
In addition, Alberta Justice dispute resolution programs have resolved 33 percent more matters in the first quarter of 2025 than in 2023.
