Pascale Turcotte

This is a costs decision following a six-day family law trial that commenced in January 2024 and concluded in April 2024.

The respondent was the successful party on virtually all issues.

The court awarded costs to the respondent, finding that while the respondent was entitled to costs as the successful party, the amount claimed was excessive and not properly itemized.

The court reduced the costs award to account for proportionality and the financial circumstances of the applicant, who remains burdened with significant debt and child support arrears.

The applicant brought a motion for summary judgment seeking sole custody of a child born in 2016, supervised access for the respondent, child support, permission to travel, and permission to relocate.

The respondent, who struggles with mental health issues including post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety and depression, was represented by duty counsel.

The court granted the motion, awarding sole custody to the applicant, liberal and general access to the respondent at the applicant's discretion, child support of $25 per month, permission to travel with notice, and permission to relocate within 100 kilometres.