The Children's Aid Society initiated child protection proceedings concerning S.D. The paternal great-grandmother, A.D., moved to be added as a party to the proceedings.
The maternal grandmother, L.P., opposed the motion, arguing it would cause delay and that A.D. was not a primary caregiver.
The Society did not oppose A.D.'s motion.
The court found it was in the child's best interests to add A.D. as a party, noting her significant and consistent caregiving role, and that the existing order for L.P. to make "reasonable access arrangements with A.D." constituted a right of access, making A.D. a "parent" under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017.
Even if not a statutory parent, the court would exercise its discretion to add A.D. as a party.
The motion was granted.
