CLEBC - Courses On Demand

Child Protection Conference 2025

Course Date: May 15, 2025

Full Course Materials

Total: 5h 43min

Total Ethics: 1h

Welcome and Land Acknowledgement (9:00 – 9:15)

Elder Xelemilh Doris Paul — Squamish Nation, North Vancouver
Teresa Sheward — Program Lawyer, CLEBC, Vancouver
Harshada Deshpande — Staff Lawyer, Parents Legal Center, Legal Aid BC, Vancouver
Jasmine Perhar — Feenie MacDonald, Vancouver

Opening Keynote "The Role of Advocacy: How Can Lawyers and Advocates Advance the Voices of Indigenous Families and Children?" (9:15 – 9:50) (virtual presentation)

Justice Ardith (Wal-pet-ko We-dalx) Walkem — Supreme Court of BC, Chilliwack

Splatsin First Nation Child Welfare (9:50 – 10:40)

Splatsin Stsmamlt Services
update on exercise of jurisdiction
practical impacts of jurisdiction on families

Tkwamipla7 Miranda Kimbasket — Councillor, Splatsin Nation, Enderby
Rhonda McEachern — Jurisdictional Liaison Coordinator, Splatsin Stsmamlt Services, Enderby (virtual presentation)
Crystal Reeves — Mandell Pinder LLP, Vancouver

BREAK (10:40 – 10:55)

Cowichan Tribes Child and Family Wellness (10:55 – 11:35) (virtual presentation)

Snuw'uy'ulhtst tu Quw'utsun Mustimuhw u' tu Shhw'a'luqw'a' i' Smun'eem—"The Laws of the Cowichan People for Families and Children"
update on exercise of jurisdiction
practical impacts of jurisdiction on families
intersection between family, caregivers, nations, Indigenous governing bodies, MCFD, and the role of the director

Robert B. Morales — Chair, First Nations Summit Chief Negotiators Forum; Negotiator/Lawyer, Cowichan Tribes, Duncan

Questions & Discussion (11:35 – 11:45)

LUNCH (provided to in-person registrants) (11:45 – 12:45)

View from the Bench (12:45 – 1:45)

list days
CFCSA conferences
trial conduct
priority parenting matters
general tips

Judge Wendy Bernt — Provincial Court of BC, Smithers (virtual presentation)
Judge Nancy N. Phillips — Provincial Court of BC, Vancouver

Priority Parenting Applications under CFCSA Proceedings (1:45 – 2:30)

Priority Parenting Applications and how they intersect with CFCSA
benefits to facilitate a return by filing a Priority Parenting Application for guardianship
what to consider before filing a Prioritiy Parenting Application
new form for applications about priority parenting matters, option to aply for guardianship
comparison of options for guardianship/custody in FLA and CFCSA proceedings

Colin Ferguson — Ferguson Family Law, North Vancouver
Miscia Sullivan — Feenie MacDonald, Vancouver

BREAK (2:30 – 2:45)

Collaborative Practice: Finding Creative Solutions (2:45 – 3:30)

why participate in collaborative practices
statutory framework
options for collaborative processes
enhancing participation of parents and youth

Lori Frank, RRM — Director of Child Welfare Initiatives, Mediate BC, Vancouver (virtual presentation)
Patricia L. MacDonald — Feenie MacDonald, Vancouver
Todd McPherson — Parents Legal Center, Legal Aid BC, Vancouver

Practice Tips Roundtable (3:30 – 4:25)

recommendations from authors of the CLEBC Child and Family Services Law and Practice Manual
perspectives from director's counsel
community involvement in all aspects
applications for youth and caregiver to receive independent legal adivce
practicing in a trauma-informed way: tips for lawyers to take care of themselves

Kristine P. All — Thorpe & Company Lawyers, Vancouver
Fiona M. Beveridge — Fiona Beveridge Family Law, Vancouver
Harshada Deshpande — Staff Lawyer, Parents Legal Center, Legal Aid BC, Vancouver
Katrina Harry, KC — Indigenous Services Manager, Legal Aid BC, Vancouver
Dawn Johnson — Mandell Pinder LLP, Vancouver
Laura A. Matthews — Matthews Mediation, Mission
Jasmine Perhar — Feenie MacDonald, Vancouver