The Alberta government is investing an additional $3.2 million for a total of $11.2 million for the Family Justice Strategy.
The Family Justice Strategy helps families resolve matters outside the courts to reduce the stress on children and parents during an already difficult time.
“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, Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
The additional funding will support an expansion of the strategy to Grande Prairie, Stony Plain, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Leduc and Fort Saskatchewan.
The Family Justice Strategy 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.
This includes:
- Forms of dispute resolution such as mediation, where people meet with a neutral mediator to discuss issues including parenting, child support and spousal support.
- An online Parenting After Separation course for all parents with minor children.
- A meeting with a family court counsellor for anyone representing themselves.
These services are meant to help Albertans resolve their family law issues in a manner that emphasizes the best interests of the child, lessens the hardship between separating parents and promotes family wellness.
After launching in Edmonton and Calgary in December 2023, the Family Justice Strategy was implemented in Red Deer on March 17.
Since the strategy was launched, more than 69,000 Albertans have accessed pre-court services helping them resolve their family law issues.
According to the Alberta government there was a 33 per cent increase in the number of matters resolved by Alberta Justice dispute resolution programs, such as mediation, in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2023.
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