Ontario Divorcees to Get Schooled

Couples in Ontario wishing to end their marriage must now go through a mandatory information session where they can learn about alternatives to going to court.

Implemented on Monday, the program aims to take some of the pressure off Ontario’s family court system while helping couples understand the consequences of divorce, such as the emotional toll on their kids and the expense involved in both time and money.

The program will be mandatory at all courts.

The move is part of the Ontario government’s efforts to improve the justice system. Since 2008, legislative reforms have been initiated such as the amendment of the Family Law Act and Children’s Law Reform Act.

A mediation session is available and recommended to couples who want to go ahead with a divorce after participating in the information session.

In Canada, over 70,000 couples divorce each year, with some 26,000 of them in Ontario. The trend for statistics on divorce is steady, but Ontario has the greatest number of divorces compared to other provinces or territories.