While I imagine that being a judge is never easy, some situations and cases present more difficult decisions than others. And I imagine that the most troubling rulings a judge must make are those which may be expected to lead directly to the death of another person. While Canada does not have the … [Read more...]
Aboriginal right – or wrong?
Two eleven-year-old girls from neighbouring First Nations in southwestern Ontario were diagnosed last year with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a cancer of the bone marrow. Both received chemotherapy, then stopped. One has died. Makayla Sault of the Missisaugas of the New Credit, after eleven weeks, … [Read more...]
Bench Press 39-3: Tragic Tale of Two Girls
Two young aboriginal girls both had been diagnosed with the same type of aggressive cancer and both were receiving chemotherapy for their illness. In both cases, their mothers decided to withdraw their children from conventional cancer treatment and pursue aboriginal healing methods. In one case, … [Read more...]
Legal Requirements When Travelling Abroad with a Minor
Whether it is summer vacations, winter holidays or visiting relatives for a long weekend, traveling abroad has become common for children of all ages. This travel, however, does not always occur with both parents or with every legal guardian of the minor. In such circumstances, it is highly … [Read more...]
Viewpoint 38-5: Ten Steps to Creating Safe Environments for Children and Youth
A Risk Management Road Map to Prevent Violence and Abuse for all organizations that intersect with young people What constitutes abuse? violence? bullying? harassment? Why do bad things happen in even the best organizations? What is the duty of care and what is your organization’s … [Read more...]
The State of Your Children: The Top Five Things you need to know about your children
This spring, UNICEF released Report Card 11 ranking the well-being of children in rich countries. Well-being is measured by a wide range of factors that make life better for children including healthy behaviours, positive relationships with peers and parents, high educational achievement and low … [Read more...]
Am I This Child’s Guardian?
The article “Who is a Parent? Not a Simple Question!” explores some of the legal complications faced by individuals and couples who are having children in non-traditional ways. Families can sometimes encounter a related, although somewhat different question: Who is a guardian of this child? This … [Read more...]
Co-parenting: Doing your best for the kids during separation and divorce
Separation or divorce is one of the most emotionally taxing situations a person may face. On top of that, a parent is usually trying to maintain some semblance of normal life for their children. Some guidance in the midst of this can help. Family Justice Services offers Parenting After Separation … [Read more...]
Mother May I? Schools and Parenting Disputes
I had the pleasure of attending a lecture by Jim Davies, the general counsel for the Edmonton Public School Board. He gave a group of family law lawyers the educator’s perspective on parenting disputes.1 Today’s dynamic family configurations can be complicated – divorced biological parents, foster … [Read more...]
Update: Helping Children and Teens Deal with Separation and Divorce
In LawNow's most recent issue, a very popular article has been "Helping Children and Teens Deal with Separation and Divorce". Here is another resource to add to the list! The Public Legal Information Association of NL has recently released material for children and youth living in Newfoundland … [Read more...]