Policy & Legal Reform
This is where change begins.
At Carter’s Court, we believe the current family law system is failing too many parents—especially fathers—and placing financial strain, emotional trauma, and injustice above true fairness. This page outlines just a few of the policy and legal reforms we are actively lobbying for in Canada. From transparent child support accountability to recognizing shared parenting rights and court impartiality, these are the changes we are demanding—because families deserve better, and voices must be heard.
This is only the beginning.
We have more reforms, more stories, and more action coming. Stay with us. Share your voice. And be part of the fight for real change.
📑 1. Reforming the Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP)
What we want:
A restructured MEP system that promotes fairness, accountability, and flexibility, rather than automatic punishment.
Why it matters:
The current MEP system in Alberta often treats payors as guilty by default, with aggressive enforcement tactics—such as license suspension, credit damage, and threats of jail—even when parents are actively trying to pay or are facing genuine hardship.
We’re lobbying for:
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Case-by-case flexibility for parents who demonstrate financial hardship
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Faster, more responsive communication between MEP and families
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A fair appeal and review process when overpayments, errors, or undue hardship are involved
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A shift away from punitive action toward supportive enforcement, especially when parents are making an effort to comply
MEP should be about ensuring support reaches children, not destroying the lives of the parents trying to provide for them.
💸 2. Modernizing Child Support Guidelines
What we want:
A complete overhaul of the current child support system to reflect cost of living, second families, and actual financial capacity.
Why it matters:
The current guidelines place a disproportionate financial burden on non-custodial parents, often ignoring the fact that many are supporting blended families, facing high travel costs, or barely keeping up with inflation. We believe child support must be based on realistic, shared financial responsibility—not just on one parent’s income.
We’re lobbying for changes that recognize:
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That custodial parents also have an obligation to contribute financially—not just emotionally.
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That a non-custodial parent receiving a raise does not magically increase the cost of raising a child.
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That the system should no longer operate on an outdated model where one parent shoulders nearly all the cost.
It’s time for a balanced, updated, and fair approach to child support that protects children without punishing responsible parents.
🏛️ 3. Judicial Accountability & Bias Reform
What we want:
Stronger oversight of judges and mechanisms to address bias, inconsistency, and lack of evidence-based rulings in family court.
Why it matters:
When judges ignore facts or show bias, families suffer. We’re lobbying for recorded hearings, appeal-friendly processes, and independent review boards to ensure decisions are made fairly and transparently.
We’re also pushing for accessible legal support for parents who cannot afford representation, so that no one is forced to face a complex and biased system alone simply because of financial hardship.
