B.C.’s Ministry of Attorney General (the Ministry) is pleased to invite Métis People with lived experience in topics related to families to participate in an upcoming regional dialogue session on the modernization of the Family Law Act. The topics of the discussion will be:
- Parents’ and guardians’ responsibilities for making decisions about a child and spending time with a child
- Protection from family violence
- Parenting assessments and reports on the needs and views of a child
More About the Dialogue Session and the Family Law Act Modernization project
The session is an early step in efforts to make the Family Law Act work better for Métis People. By hearing individual and collective stories and perspectives, the Ministry hopes that the session will help to identify issues and improve understanding about the ways in which families and communities are addressing family matters within, but also outside of, the current system.
We recognize the personal nature of the subject matter. The Ministry is working with Mahihkan Management and Métis Nation British Columbia to create a safe and respectful environment. The session will be led by an Indigenous Facilitator.
The session will be in person and limited to small groups of individuals with lived experience.
How to Register
Those with lived experience can register via the retister button above included above.
Space is limited. You are encouraged to register as soon as possible to secure your spot.
Who Should Attend?
Métis People with lived experience relating to parents’ and guardians’ responsibilities making decisions about and spending time with a child, protection from family violence, and parenting assessments and reports on the needs and views of a child are welcome to attend.
The session will provide an opportunity to share experiences and discuss questions about parenting and caring for a child when the child’s parents are not together, including how to involve the child’s views in decision making. The session will also include discussion about family violence and protection orders.
We are aware of the ongoing engagement with Indigenous Peoples, including Métis People on the Child Family and Community Services Act about child protection. That is not the subject of these dialogue sessions, however we understand there may well be many linkages with that subject and community members’ lived experiences and perspectives on the family law topics that will be discussed in these sessions.
Participant Funding and Travel Reimbursement
The Ministry is providing meals, participant funding of up to $100 for the one-day session, and reimbursement for travel expenses.
Details around travel reimbursement rates will be provided to participants upon registering.
We kindly ask that only those with lived experience in the topics outlined above attend this session.
Do Your Require Accommodation?
A preferred accommodation rate of $160.00 has been arranged at the host hotel for the nights of February 12 and February 13. If you are travelling from out of town and require accommodation, please follow the below instructions to book your accommodation.
Inn at the Quay New Westminster
900 Quayside Dr, New Westminster, BC V3M 6G1
To confirm your reservation phone the hotel’s reservations department at 604.520.1776 or 1.800.663.2001 and quote B.C.’s Ministry of Attorney General – Family Law Act Modernization. Please note, you must quote the booking reference to secure the preferred rate.
A credit card must be provided to secure the reservation. Participants are expected to pay for their hotel room up front and submit their receipt for reimbursement following the engagement.
Register
Questions
If you have any questions or would like to connect about the upcoming dialogue session, please contact Kristen Franklin at childrenandfamilies@mnbc.ca.