Bill Detail
An Act to amend the Divorce Act
This enactment amends the Divorce Act to, among other things,
require legal advisers who undertake to act on a spouse’s behalf in a divorce proceeding to assess the risk of family violence and, if there is a risk, to take steps to implement an appropriate plan;
provide the means by which a court may more accurately assess the impact of coercive control on a parent-child relationship so as to ensure that children are protected from domestic violence after a separation or divorce;
Bill C-223, also known as the Keeping Children Safe Act, aims to enhance protections for children and families during divorce proceedings, especially in cases involving family violence. It requires legal advisors to assess and plan for family violence risks, and allows courts to better understand how coercive control might impact the parent-child relationship. The bill also introduces measures for courts to directly gather a child's views in writing or through interviews when determining their best interests and preferences.