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C-223At consideration in committee in the House of Commons

Divorce Law Changes Proposed

Divorce Act Amended

Introduced Sep 18, 2025·Last discussed Feb 4, 2026
Summary

This proposed law, put forward by Lisa Hepfner, aims to change the Divorce Act. It wants to make sure kids are safe when their parents are getting divorced. The law would likely add new rules or strengthen existing ones to protect children from things like abuse or neglect during divorce proceedings. This proposed law would affect families going through a divorce, especially those with children. It matters because it could change how courts handle divorce cases involving children. The changes could mean more focus on a child's safety and well-being during a difficult time. It could also mean new steps for parents to take to prove they are fit to care for their children.

What MPs Are Saying
Liberal
Lisa HepfnerLiberalSupports

I am happy to present a bill to change the rules for divorce. It will help kids have a say in what happens and protect them from harm. I hope everyone will vote for it.

Conservative
Helena KonanzConservativeWants Changes

I think some parts of this bill are good, like helping courts see family violence, even if there are no police reports. But I worry about stopping judges from looking at evidence about parental alienation. I think we need to study this bill more and make changes to truly protect kids and families.

Bloc Québécois
Claude DeBellefeuilleBloc QuébécoisSupports

I think this bill is good because it focuses on what is best for children during divorce. I agree with parts of it, like not needing a police report to show violence. My party will help study this bill to make it better and protect children.

Where This Lands on Key Issues

Where this proposed law falls on the policy spectrums that Canadians care about

Crime & Public SafetyFocus on rehabilitation and prevention

The bill focuses on protecting children during divorce proceedings, suggesting a move towards prioritizing safety and well-being within the family law system. This aligns with a proactive approach to preventing harm and potentially reducing future crime.

Identity & Human RightsExpand protections for marginalized groups

By focusing on the safety and well-being of children during divorce, the bill implicitly acknowledges the vulnerability of children and aims to protect their rights. This aligns with a broader approach to human rights, particularly concerning vulnerable populations.

This bill
Bill Quality
Solid

This proposed law strengthens the Divorce Act by prioritizing the safety of families, especially in cases involving family violence. It also updates considerations around relocation and parenting time, but some areas, like enforcement of safety plans, are not addressed.

Things to Watch For

  • It does not specify how legal advisors should implement safety plans for families at risk.
  • The law doesn't say how courts should handle situations where both parents are accused of family violence.
  • It is unclear how the changes to relocation rules will affect families with shared parenting time.
  • The law does not address the potential financial burden on spouses to implement safety plans.
  • It is unclear how the court will determine if a child's safety and privacy are compromised when gathering evidence from the child.
Progress

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