Sandra Harris

Following a family law proceeding involving support claims, the court addressed costs.

The respondent in the underlying application was generally successful, though not to the full extent of the relief sought.

No settlement offers justified a substantial indemnity award.

Considering the reasonable hours and hourly rate of counsel, as well as the expectations of the parties and the absence of a costs order at the case conference, the court ordered the unsuccessful applicant to pay partial indemnity costs.

A motion to change child support under the Divorce Act sought retroactive adjustment of child support and contribution toward section 7 extraordinary expenses including orthodontic treatment, driver’s education, and post-secondary education.

The responding parent cross‑moved for a retroactive reduction in support based on alleged reduced income and business losses.

The court rejected the claimed self‑employment losses due to insufficient evidence and calculated income based on employment earnings.

The court ordered proportional contributions to section 7 expenses and recalculated guideline support, resulting in arrears payable and prospective support adjustments including university costs for a child attending post-secondary education.