The respondent father sought to vary a custody order to permit the 14-year-old child to reside with him in Gatineau, Quebec, rather than with the applicant mother in Capreol, Ontario.
The child, represented by counsel from the Office of the Children's Lawyer, expressed a strong and consistent wish to live with her father.
The court found that the child had attained sufficient maturity for her age to make this decision independently, without undue influence from either parent.
The court determined that a material change in circumstances had occurred and that it was in the child's best interests to reside with her father, effective January 1, 2013, subject to resolution of outstanding issues regarding child support and access.