$26.8-Million Gift from Alberta Law Foundation to Transform Family Justice

CALGARY, AB — As family lawyers across Canada experience one of their busiest weeks of the year following the holidays, the University of Calgary is set to make a groundbreaking shift in family justice. A historic $26.8-million philanthropic gift from the Alberta Law Foundation, will fund two new research chairs and a Centre for Transformation at the University of Calgary, focused on improving outcomes for families involved in the family justice system. The initiative will prioritize long-term well-being, reduce trauma for children and youth and provide crucial support for families navigating the family justice system.

“The new Centre for Transformation will serve as a vital bridge between research and community impact. By combining the expertise of Canada’s largest school of social work with the innovative spirit of our Faculty of Law, the University of Calgary is uniquely positioned to lead systemic change in conflict resolution and family resilience.”

Dr. Ed McCauley, President, University of Calgary

Family law cases account for 35 per cent of all civil cases in Canada, with significant time and resources dedicated to parenting time and child support disputes. This initiative will help to reduce trauma by focusing on less adversarial approaches. Childhood trauma, or Adverse Childhood Experiences, have been shown to strongly correlate with long-term mental and physical health challenges.

The new research chairs and the Centre for Transformation will work closely with the community based Re-imagining the Family Justice System (RFJS) initiative, whose Grande Prairie efforts have already demonstrated that new approaches to family justice can achieve promising outcomes.

Families in Grande Prairie initiating new actions or applications in court are now being encouraged and empowered to consider the root causes of their disputes—whether they stem from social, relationship, parenting, financial or health challenges—and are connected to additional resources for support and skill-building. This approach shifts family law cases away from starting at the “dispute stage”, where each side is represented by lawyers.

“Supporting initiatives of this magnitude is unprecedented for us, but incredibly exciting. The Foundation understands the value in this multifaceted approach and the need for generational transformation in the family justice system. We are grateful for the opportunity and ability to partner with the University of Calgary and the RFJS and are excited for the positive impact it will have on families and, in particular, children in Alberta.”

Byron Chan, Executive Director, Alberta Law Foundation

The transformative initiative also aims to address the unique needs of Indigenous peoples. By collaborating with Indigenous communities and incorporating culturally informed practices, the project seeks to build trust and deliver meaningful support to those who are often disproportionately impacted by current systems. 

The Centre will also improve outcomes for equity-deserving families, including those with disabilities, facing economic hardship, or for whom English is a second language. By focusing on resilience, the Centre for Transformation aims to reduce reliance on the family justice system in cases where alternative solutions can better serve families’ needs.

With this unprecedented gift, the Alberta Law Foundation and UCalgary are poised to make a lasting contribution to the family justice system, offering meaningful benefits to families, children and communities across Alberta for generations to come. 

Media Contacts:

Don McSwiney
Communications Manager,
Faculty of Social Work
403.408.9701
don.mcswiney@ucalgary.ca

Michael Platt
Senior Communications Specialist
Media, Issues and Outreach | Office of Communications and Community Engagement
403-830-2452
michael.platt@ucalgary.ca
 

About the University of Calgary
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