Self-represented (A.T.)

The Children's Aid Society of Ottawa brought a motion to reduce the mother's access to the child and remove the stepfather's access, while providing access to the paternal great-aunt.

The mother brought a cross-motion seeking the child's return to her care.

The court denied the mother's cross-motion, finding she had not met the high threshold under s. 113(8) of the CYFSA for returning the child to her care, primarily due to her inconsistency and the child's need for stability.

The court granted the Society's motion to vary access, reducing the mother's minimum access to once per week, removing the stepfather's access, and granting the paternal great-aunt access, finding these changes were in the child's best interests, considering both the CYFSA and the augmented best interests test under the Federal Act for Indigenous children.

This is a child protection proceeding concerning two children.

The court addressed trial readiness issues and the appointment of amicus curiae for the unrepresented mother.

The mother had cycled through three lawyers and was unable to retain counsel despite having a legal aid certificate.

The court appointed amicus to assist in presenting the mother's case at trial, ensuring the proceedings could move forward without further delays and that the children's interests would be protected through a fair and organized trial process.