P. Nicholson

The respondent father brought a motion to continue an order suspending the applicant mother's access to the children and restraining her from communicating with them.

The court found that the mother had engaged in a prolonged campaign of emotional abuse, manipulation, and denigration of the father, which had destabilized the children.

Since the suspension of access, the children had thrived in the father's care.

The court held that it was in the children's best interests to continue the access suspension and restraining orders, with a provision for limited, supervised communication in the future.

Following a family law trial regarding spousal support and equalization, the applicant sought costs of $79,000 while the respondent argued no costs should be awarded.

The court found the applicant was the more successful party and that the respondent acted unreasonably in rejecting the applicant's offers to settle, which were more favourable than the final judgment.

However, the court also noted the applicant caused delay by failing to properly account for date of marriage debts.

Considering the divided success on conduct and the respondent's limited financial means, the court awarded the applicant costs of $45,000.