Chief Justice McLachlin, a former lawyer and academic, has written some of the most significant judgments in Canadian law in areas such as equality rights, evidence, trusts, and damages for personal injuries. She has also had considerable impact through speaking and presenting papers across the country and internationally. Her judicial approach is one of rigorous analysis and logic combined with a thorough understanding of the social context in which legal problems are embedded.

The Chief Justice will speak on issues of national importance in Elder Law. The Chief Justice’s Keynote Address will be the highlight of the 2007 Canadian Conference on Elder Law. Full speech available here .

The Honourable Robert Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, ON, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada will open the conference with a Welcome Address on Friday, November 9, 2007.

Rob Nicholson serves as the Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls, an electoral district in southern Ontario and in January 2007, Mr. Nicholson was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

First elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1984, Mr. Nicholson served in a variety of capacities, including Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Minister for Science and Small Businesses. Re-elected in 2004, he was appointed Chief Opposition Whip in January 2005. In February 2006, Mr. Nicholson was named Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform.

On Friday, November 9, Minister Nicholson will speak at the opening ceremonies of the Elder Law Conference where he will highlight the action and commitments of the Government of Canada to tackling crime, identity theft and elder abuse.

We are pleased to announce the 2007 Dinner Address was delivered by Mr. Michael Valpy on Friday, November 9. Mr. Valpy is an award-winning Canadian journalist and author. In some of his recent articles Mr. Valpy has had a particular interest in issues of aging. He is a senior writer for the Globe and Mail newspaper where he made his reputation on both political and human interest stories. Through his career at the Globe, he has been a reporter, Ottawa-based national political columnist, member of the editorial board, deputy managing editor, Africa-based correspondent during the last years of apartheid, and religious affairs columnist. He also has been a national political columnist for the Vancouver Sun.

The 2007 Distinguished Lecture was be given by Prof. Rebecca Morgan on Saturday, November 10, 2007. Prof. Morgan is the Director of Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law and the holder of the Boston Asset Management Faculty Chair in Elder Law, the only chair in elder law in the United States. Professor Morgan is a past president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).

This year’s Conference also featured a Plenary Address by Ms. Judith Wahl, Executive Director for the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly. Ms. Wahl has been a Fellow of the CCELS for a number of years and has been actively practising in the area of Elder Law at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. She is currently the Vice-Chair of the National Canadian Bar Association Elder Law Section, and is active on boards of other Canadian Bar Association sections. Selected memberships include: Guardianship Advisory Committee, Office of the Ontario Public Guardian and Trustee, 1996 to date, the Alzheimers’ Roundtable, Ministry of Citizenship, Ontario Seniors Secretariat, 2004 (appointment to 2006); Member, Toronto Mayor’s Seniors Roundtable, 2004 (appointment to 2006) ; Member, Long-Term Care Facility Standards & Criteria Stakeholder Committee, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, 2004 (continuing committee); Chair, Interim Advisory Committee for the Implementation of the Ontario Substitute Decisions Act 1992-1995 (appointment by the Attorney General of Ontario).
The FPT Forum

The CCELS 2007 conference was held in conjunction with the first ever Federal / Provincial / Territorial Working Group on Seniors’ Issues Forum, which focussed on elder abuse issues. This Forum was invitation-based and will be held on November 8th, 2007. It will run concurrently with the World Study Group on Elder Law.
Conference Itinerary

Thu, November 8, 2007

Fri, Nov 9, 2007

Sat, Nov 10, 2007
8:00am

Continental Breakfast & Check-In

9:00am

Conference Opening & Plenary

The Chief Justice’s Keynote Address
10:30am
The World Study Group on Elder Law
11:00am
Concurrent Sessions

Concurrent Sessions
12:30pm
Lunch

Lunch
1:00pm
Plenary

Distinguished Lecture
2:00pm
Concurrent Sessions

Concurrent Sessions
3:30pm
Concurrent Sessions

Concurrent Sessions
5:00pm
Networking & Early Check-In

Champagne Cocktail Reception

Conference Closing
7:00pm

Dinner Address & Awards

Conference Schedule with Abstracts (Please note: some presenters have not been listed, but will be included as the Schedule changes). The full conference Program will be available online by November 1, 2007.

Conference Informational Brochure

Press Release – September 18, 2007 – Announcing the Right Honourable Chief Justice of Canada Beverley McLachlin, P.C.
Registration

Register now for the 2007 CCEL. Your registration includes a ticket to the Chief Justice’s Keynote Address. The deadline for registration has been extended to October 31, 2007.

Please fax or mail your registration form to the CCELS at 604-822-0144.

Book your room at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre.. You may alternatively wish to book by calling the Sheraton at 604-331-100 or 1-800-325-3535.
2007 Gregory K. Steele, Q.C. Prize

The Canadian Centre for Elder Law Studies is pleased to announce its Student Paper Award in Elder Law for its third Annual Student Paper Prize on an Elder Law topic. The CCELS is committed to promoting student work in the areas of study which consider legal issues affecting older adults. Papers in both official languages are welcome. The prize includes:

A $500 Cdn honourarium
Guaranteed Conference presentation of the accepted paper
Conference registration
Presentation of an award at the Dinner Address
A travel subsidy up to $500.

The Student Paper Award will be presented at the 2007 Dinner Address. Submissions should be made electronically in Word format in 12 point font with an abstract / executive summary in English. Papers should be of Journal length, double-spaced, between 15 and 40 pages in length. Submissions should also be accompanied by the following Steele Prize Registration Form. For more information, please email awards@bcli.org. The deadline is August 30, 2007.
Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunities

The 2007 Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunities Package is now available. There are a number of new and exciting ways to get involved in the 2007 CCEL. Please contact us at 604.822.0633 if you are interested in participating as a Sponsor.

Previous Sponsors and Advertisers include: Vancouver Coastal Health, Law Commission of Canada, BC Housing, Fraser Health, UBC Faculty of Law, Simon Fraser University, Public Guardian and Trustee of BC, LexisNexis, Spry Hawkins, Micner, McLellan Herbert, and Einfeld Watts.

We look forward to working with you to fulfill your sponsorship needs.
The 2006 CCEL

Click here to see an overview of the 2006 Canadian Conference on Elder Law.

The CCELS is engaged in a Law Foundation funded project on legal aspects of “aging with challenges.” The goal of the project is to critically challenge the notion that older adults age in a homogeneous fashion. Rather, this CCELS legal research project has consulted with stakeholder organizations for input on some of the issues of greatest concern in the following areas:

Aging with Addictions
Aging with Physical and Mental Challenges
Aging and the Criminal Justice System
Aging and Identity

The product design will be a tabbed binderized toolkit, with the goal of enabling users to directly focus in on the type of “challenge” they wish to enquire about, and to have tools and teaching materials at their fingertips. Some users may read the entire end product; others may only be interested in using sections of the product.

The final product will be available in August 2007.

The binder will be set up in roughly the following fashion:

Intro : Introduction of the Project and working definition of Aging with Challenges
Tab 1 : Guardianship (study paper)
Tab 2 : Addictions and Housing
2a) Smoking and Assisted Living (study paper / legal analysis)
2b) Smoking and LTC (study paper / legal analysis)
2c) Alcohol and Aging
2d) Checklist of issues and problem-solving flowchart
Tab 3 : Physical and Mental Challenges
3a) Physical Challenges (study paper / legal analysis)
3b) Mental and Capability Challenges (study paper / legal analysis)
3c) Checklist for legal practioners
Tab 4 : Interaction with the Criminal Justice System
4a) Aging Offenders (study paper / legal analysis)
4b) Aging Witnesses (special emphasis on R v Khelawon, 2006 2CC 57)
4c) Checklist for Police and Crown (to be developed with BC CEAS)
Tab 5 : Aging and Identity Issues

(we invite those interested in providing stakeholder input to contact lwatts@bcli.org or to write directly to the CCELS)

Tab 6 : Toolkit
6a) Housing Stability Tool, developed with BC Seniors Services and Housing Information Project
(to assist housing providers retain positive tenancies with harder to house seniors – as presented at the BC NPHA conference)
6b) Powerpoints developed for teaching modules (hard copies and the .ppt in soft copy can be downloaded from the website.)

In this project analysis of any legal barriers inhibiting persons who are “aging with challenges” from aging with safety, dignity and self-determination will be undertaken. Much of this project component will target the broad medical and care-giving profession, including physicians, nurses, licensed practical nurses, care providers, rehabilitation therapists etc. The project will consider the following: a) what are the specific needs of older adults with challenges; b) are there differences in the treatment of older adults with challenges as opposed to the general aging cohort; c) what standards are currently in place; d) is there a need for law reform in these areas?

The legal education portion of this project will include an outcome of “best practices” targeted towards the medical and care-giving profession. Consultation in this phase will include stakeholders from the above-mentioned medical and care-giving professions, as well as residents of care facilities, ministry representatives, elder law lawyers, appropriate disability advocacy organizations and the seniors’ communities at large.

Aging with Challenges Input

The CCELS welcomes stakeholder input on any aspect of this project. If you would like to make a submission or to discuss aspects of the project with the researchers, please do not hesitate to contact the CCELS by emailing the Program Director at: lwatts@bcli.org

Aging with Challenges Survey – Fill in our Aging with Challenges Survey!

Thank you for such a tremendous response to our survey. The information collected is currently being analysed and results will be included in the final report.

Aging with Challenges in the News

Vancouver Sun – September 26, 2005 (page E1) – Seniors Living: Aging with Challenges

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Someone I care about is being mistreated. What can I do to help? Who can I turn to?

A: For a list of contacts of who to call if you suspect adult abuse and neglect, click here . (all of Canada)

Also, in most Canadian jurisdictions, reports of abuse or neglect can be made to your Public Guardian and Trustee, a local health authority, or a community response network. In many cases you may also wish to contact your local police as many forms of mistreatment are criminal.

The Canadian Network for the Prevention of Abuse of Seniors is a wonderful resource of information, statistics and more.

In Ontario, you can contact the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly, which is Canada’s only legal aid clinic specifically for older adults. They have up-to-date information on elder law issues on their website.

In BC, you can also call the BC Coalition to Eliminate the Abuse of Seniors for support and advice on how to proceed at (604) 437-1940.

Note: All capable adults have a right to make decisions for themselves, by themselves, and to live at risk. Make sure to talk to the person you care about first if possible before proceeding with outside intervention.

Q: I need a lawyer or some legal advice about an elder law issue. How do I find this?

A: Try any of the resources outlined below. For more information link to the Resources portion of this website.

Generally:

Contact the Law Society in your jurisdiction and ask about any referral services to an elder law lawyer. You can also contact the Canadian Bar Association and find a member of the local elder law section.

In British Columbia:

Contact the Law Society to locate a particular lawyer at (604) 669-2533.
For referral to a lawyer in your area to help you with your current legal need, call the Lawyer Referral Service at (604) 687-3221 and at http://www.cba.org/BC/Initiatives/main/lawyer_referral.aspx. The Lawyer Referral Service operates by telephone service. Please call during business hours, 8:30am – 4:30pm, Monday – Friday at 604.687.3221 or 1.800.663.1919. Operators are available to take your call. Once the area of law is determined the operator will provide you with the name and telephone number of a lawyer in your geographical area. You contact the lawyer to set up an appointment to meet. You are entitled to up to a half hour consultation for $25 (plus taxes). This consultation is to determine whether or not you have a legal problem. If you know you have a legal problem and need to hire a lawyer, the Lawyer Referral Service can help you find a lawyer at their regular rate. Out-of-province and country requests can email lawyerreferral@bccba.org.
For legal advice, legal information, help with legal documents and procedures, and referral to other resources contact the Law Line at (604) 408-2172 or toll free at 1-866-577-2525.
Ask someone you trust for a personal referral.

Q: What should I know about a Power of Attorney / Enduring Power of Attorney?

A: Usually, Powers of Attorney do not require a lawyer to create. However, Power of Attorney fraud is one of the fastest growing areas of crime in Canada and the duties and responsibilites under a Power of Attorney may be very poorly understood. Once you sign a Power of Attorney, the person you chose currently has immediate ability to sign your name and make financial decisions on your behalf. The CCELS strongly recommends careful consideration when making a Power of Attorney and suggests independent legal advice for both parties.

Q: How much does a will / Power of Attorney / Enduring Power of Attorney / Representation Agreement cost for a lawyer to do this? Can a notary make these too?

A: Some simple planning documents can be very inexpensive and different lawyers charge different amounts. Usually the cost of having a lawyer create your personal planning documents will depend on how complex the matter is. Call around, comparison shop and ask for referrals from a trusted friend or adviser. Some lawyers have specialities in this area. It may be wise to look for somebody that you trust with a specialty in this kind of work. Contact the Canadian Bar Association for more information about the Wills and Estates subsection and the Elder Law subsection. Notaries can do some of these planning documents in some Canadian jurisdictions.

Q: What is the difference between a regular Power of Attorney and an Enduring Power of Attorney?

A: A “regular” Power of Attorney ends when the person giving it is no longer capable. An Enduring Power of Attorney contains a clause specifically stating that the power to execute financial decisions on behalf of the person making the Power of Attorney will continue even when they are incapable and are no longer able to oversee the management of this power. Independent legal advice for both parties considering executing a power of attorney is strongly recommended.

Q: I think my friend or family member should have a will / Power of Attorney (finance) / Advance Health Care Planning document (such as a Power of Attorney for Personal Care in Ontario, a Representation Agreement in BC etc). Can I make one for him/her?

A: No. Only an individual capable adult (over the age of majority in your jurisdiction) can create any of these planning tools for themselves. No one eles can make one. Capable adults have the right to make or not to make planning decisions.

Q: I am the executor of my friend or family member’s will. Does this let me make health care decisions or financial decisions for them while they are alive?

A: No. An executor of a will is an important responsibility which only comes into force after the death of the testator (person making the will). You have no rights as an executor to make any health care or financial decisions while the testator is alive unless you have other rights under a guardianship, a Power of Attorney (financial decisions) or a advance care health care planning document (health care decisions)

For Residents of British Columbia:

Q: I am a resident of British Columbia and I’ve made my will and want to register it. Where do I go? Do they take a copy of my will?

A: You can file a Wills Notice at the offices of Vital Statistics http://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/wills/index.html. This is a voluntary registration and has a small one-time cost associated with it. No, they do not take a copy of your will; rather, there is a standard form of information to fill out, including information as to where your will is being kept.

Q: I am a resident of British Columbia and I’ve made my Representation Agreement and want to register it. Where do I go? Do they take a copy of my Representation Agreement?

A: To register your Represenation Agreement contact www.rarc.ca. This is a voluntary registration and has a small one-time cost associated with it. Yes, they do take a copy of your Represenation Agreement.

Q: I am a resident of British Columbia and I’ve made my Enduring Power of Attorney and want to register it. Where do I go? Do they take a copy of my Enduring Power of Attorney?

A: To register your Enduring Power of Attorney contact www.rarc.ca. This is a voluntary registration and has a small one-time cost associated with it. Yes, they can take a copy of your Enduring Power of Attorney.

IMPORTANT BC LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

The BC government has been considering introducing legislation to modernize guardianship and personal planning laws. To that end, in May 2006 the government introduced Bill 32, which proposed amendments to the Adult Guardianship Act, the Power of Attorney Act, the Health Care (Consent) and Care Facility (Admission) Act, the Representation Agreement Act and the Public Guardian and The proposed legislation in consolidated form can be found below.

Click here to read the legislative Hansard
(Scroll down to “Standing Order 81.1″, page 4636)

Those proposed amendments did not reach second reading. The BC government then engaged in a short consultation process on some of those proposed changes, including the significant proposed change of introducing non-proxy Advance Directives into law. Some of these changes may be re-introduced in the next legislative session. More to follow.

The CCELS has created consolidations of the May 2006 Bill 32 legislative changes to the:

Adult Guardianship Act
Health Care Consent (Care Facility Admission) Act
Power of Attorney Act
Representation Agreement Act

**NOTE: These consolidations are preliminary and for research or public information purposes only. They must not be relied upon for accuracy. The changes are currently only proposed in the B.C. Legislature and have not been enacted. For a link to the Legislature and to track the progress of Bill 32, where these changes are proposed within, click here.

New changes are being proposed in the legislature to the Residential Tenancy Act which specifically affect the rights of persons in assisted living and supportive living. Implementation of these changes has been deferred in order to allow the regulations to be drafted and to ensure stakeholder input. Click here for more information.

New Power of Attorney CLE with National POA Chart and Survey

This chart compares all provincial powers of attorney legislation across Canada, with a particular focus on the various requirements for creating a power of attorney. It also compares the existence of extra-territorial recognition legislation, attorney accounting requirements, and powers of attorney registries. This chart is a useful resource for powers of attorney research, education, or creation.

CLE paper with appended Chart (Word document)

Powers of Attorney Across the Country

Cross Country Expedition: Probate and Incapacity Planning and Administration Across Provincial Borders. By Nimali D. Gamage, Associate Lawyer at Jan Goddard and Associates.

Recently Released

Study Paper on Predatory Lending Issues in Canada (February 2008)

Study Paper on Viatical Settlements (May 2006)

Report on Unnecessary Requirements for Sworn Statements (March 2006)

Interim Report on Summary Administration of Small Estates (January 2006)

Report on Reverse Mortgages (February 2006)

Please see the Publications page for all releases

Coming Soon

The CCELS Report on Year 2-3

Final Report on Enduring Powers of Attorney: Western Law Reform Consortium (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) expected 2007

Aging with Challenges, expected summer 2007

Open for Consultation

Aging with Challenges (please see Aging with Challenges portion of the website)

Funding Opportunities

The Canadian Centre for Elder Law Studies is currently seeking funders for a Report on issues of Viatical and Seniors Settlements. If you or your organization are interested in sponsoring this project, please contact Laura Watts at the information listed below.

A viatical settlement is a transaction in which an insured person with diminished life expectancy transfers the entitlement to receive the death benefit under the policy of insurance to another person. This other person agrees immediately to pay the insured person an amount that is less than the face value of the death benefit and undertakes to pay the premiums for the insurance policy as they come due. The CCELS proposes to pursue the following: thoroughly review the legislation in Canada, the US and applicable Commonwealth jurisdictions; anaylse the proposed new regulations in Ontario; consult stakeholders; consider industry standards and issues surrounding the protection of vulnerable seniors, while respecting seniors’ rights to make independent financial choices.

The Canadian Centre for Elder Law Studies (“CCELS”) is the national, non-profit body dedicated to exploring the particular legal issues which affect older Canadians.

Our parent body, the B.C. Law Institute, began studying issues of “Elder Law” in 1999 with support from the Law Foundation of B.C. for project work on Private Care Agreements and Financial Arrangements: Loans and Guarantees between Family Members and Friends. From these Law Foundation supported initiatives came the growing realization of the need for a formalized Centre dedicated to legal issues of concern to older adults.

In July 2003, the B.C. Law Institute formally established the Canadian Centre for Elder Law Studies. The mandate of the CCELS includes research, law reform and education relating to legal issues of interest to older adults. Now operating in its third year, the CCELS is recognized for its expertise in Elder Law issues both in Canada and internationally.

Our Strengths and Priorities

Uncovering “hidden issues” is an important part of the work of the CCELS. These are legal issues that can dramatically affect older adults but may be buried beneath familial or systemic overlays. Typically these are also matters on which advice from a practicing lawyer is seldom sought. Identifying these issues and developing appropriate and sensitive ways of addressing them are important functions of the CCELS.

The CCELS is well situated to engage the larger community in identifying problems and developing solutions. An important part of the CCELS mandate is to be “reform-minded” and to seek better laws, policies and systems for Canadian or international societies. If the laws are deficient or inadequate, recommendations for change can be developed and submitted to government or other appropriate agencies or groups. The CCELS has its roots in a law reform tradition, which has been an important part of the legal and governmental landscape in Canada for 35 years.
Facilitation is integral to the work of the CCELS. If issues arise which the CCELS cannot specifically address, we will support those in need to find others who can help. Recently an issue arose regarding possible Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms infringement of older women with regards to a Canadian “pension-split” issue. The CCELS was able to facilitate Charter Challenge funding and link willing lawyers to argue this discrimination case in court. The CCELS will continue to be involved and to support those bringing this action in ways that are appropriate.

Objectives

The objectives of the Canadian Centre for Elder Law Studies are: to enrich and inform the lives of older adults with the law; to meet the increasing need for legal education and research in relation to legal issues having particular significance for older adults; and, to serve as a national focal point for this emergent field. To current knowledge, it appears to be the only such Centre in the world and is currently serving as a model of interest for several other countries.

The CCELS also hosts the World Study Group on Elder Law, a group established October, 2005 to facilitate study and knowledge exchange internationally on issues affecting the legal rights of older adults worldwide.

The Program

The CCELS’ current projects and activities to advance these objectives are as follows: braces both legal and interdisciplinary channels.

Research and Scholarship

Developing academic research and writing in relation to legal issues that particularly touch on the lives of older adults
Fostering the publication of a scholarly Canadian journal devoted to Elder Law issues
Hosting an Annual Distinguished Lecture on Elder Law
Sponsoring the Annual Gregory Steele, Q.C. Student Paper Prize in Elder Law
Developing a national and international collection of Elder Law materials and case law

Law Reform

Identifying ways in which the law could be improved to encompass and develop the interests, rights and well-being of older adults
Participating in the development of solutions which empower older adults to live in a supportive legal environment
Pursuing topics concerned with ensuring the financial integrity of transactions involving older adults
Investigating law reform issues identified through CCELS scholarship and research
Carrying forward Elder Law projects concerned with law reform initiated by the British Columbia Law Institute

Information and Education

Developing education materials that focus on Elder Law issues for the legal profession, law and post-secondary student, health and financial professionals and the community at large
Identifying and working closely with other agencies concerned with the delivery of legal information to older adults and to the legal profession

Changing demographics make it inevitable that Elder Law is an area of significantly increased importance. The dedicated national focus that the CCELS brings to this area is unique in Canada and promotes the development of Elder Law as a coherent body of knowledge and law. The overarching goal of the CCELS is to provide a nexus between older adults and the law, to create a positive impact on Canadian society.

CCELS Services

The CCELS offers workshops and lectures on a variety of issues affecting older adults. Contact the CCELS directly for more information.

The Canadian Centre for Elder Law Studies (“CCELS”) is a non-profit organization committed to enriching and informing the lives of older adults in their relationship with the law; to meet the increasing need for education and research in relation to legal issues of particular significance for older adults and to serve as a national focal point for this emerging field.

The CCELS offers lectures or workshops on a variety of topic areas that can be formed to fit your needs.

This year’s conference was a great success. Many thanks go out to the presenters, participants and sponsors.

The 2007 Keynote Address was given by the Right Honourable Chief Justice of Canada Beverley McLachlin, P.C. on Saturday, November 10, 2007.

The full text of the Keynote Address is available here.

The Opening Address was delivered by the Honourable Robert Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada on Friday, November 9, 2007.

The 2007 Dinner Address was delivered by Mr. Michael Valpy on Friday, November 9, 2007.

Full Conference Program now available online!

Press Release – September 18, 2007 – Announcing the Right Honourable Chief Justice of Canada Beverley McLachlin, P.C.

HOT OFF THE PRESS…

Study Paper on Predatory Lending Issues in Canada released

While the subprime mortgage crisis in the United States has made the issue of predatory lending a hot topic worldwide, little attention has been paid to the legal aspects of predatory lending in the Canadian mortgage market. This study paper looks at factors in the Canadian market that may encourage or deter the development of predatory lending. As well, legal remedies for abusive lending practices and options for legal reform are explored.

Click here to read the study paper.

Project on Family Caregiving underway

This research project funded by the Law Foundation of BC will examine the current legal framework governing leave, accommodation and other entitlements available to employees and other working people who are also engaged in providing care for family members.

Click here for more information.

Call for Submissions to Elder Law Review

Submissions are now called for Volume 5 of the Elder Law Review. The theme for this volume will be undue influence. The guest editor is Professor Margaret Hall, University of British Columbia, Faculty of Law. The closing date for submissions is 1 December 2007.

Click here for more information.

Project on the Parental Support Obligation in Section 90 of the Family Relations Act

This paper recommends the repeal of British Columbia’s eighty-five-year-old parental support law, which most British Columbians would be surprised to learn that adult children owe a legal obligation to support their parents, which is distinct from their moral obligations. The report was made possible by funding from the Ministry of Attorney General and was carried out as part of the Ministry’s review of the Family Relations Act.

A Comparative Analysis of Adult Guardianship Laws in BC, New Zealand and Ontario

This paper discusses the legislative and practical schemes in BC and other jurisdictions, notably New Zealand and Ontario. It considers key issues that are essential to meaningful reform in BC. The paper has been prepared in connection with the Aging with Challenges Project. The CCELS gratefully acknowledges funding from the Law Foundation of BC.