Terrence Douglas

A paternal grandmother sought custody of two indigenous children and opposed the maternal grandmother's request to relocate with the children from Kenora to Cochrane, Ontario.

The maternal grandmother had been the primary caregiver since the children's births, while both parents struggled with severe addiction issues.

The court awarded custody to the maternal grandmother and granted permission for relocation, finding that stability with the primary caregiver and the maternal grandmother's genuine commitment to the children's welfare outweighed concerns about the paternal grandmother's age and fears of severed contact.

The court established a detailed access regime to preserve the paternal grandmother's relationship with the children.

The applicant sought costs on a substantial indemnity basis following a successful trial on custody and parenting arrangements.

The trial resulted in a joint shared custodial arrangement with child support payable in accordance with the Federal Child Support Guidelines.

The respondent opposed the costs award, arguing that the applicant's offer to settle was unreasonable, that domestic violence issues forced litigation, and that a costs award would cause financial hardship.

The court found that the applicant's offer was reasonable, that the respondent acted unreasonably by refusing settlement, and that the respondent's domestic violence claims were unsupported by evidence.

The court awarded costs on a substantial indemnity basis from the date of the offer to settle.

A custody and access application concerning one child, Haedyn Alexa Karambetsos, born March 15, 2011.

The father sought joint custody with shared residence, while the mother sought sole custody with primary residence.

The mother alleged domestic violence and claimed inability to communicate with the father.

The court found both parents equally capable of parenting, rejected the domestic violence allegations as unsubstantiated, and determined the mother's refusal to communicate was a strategic choice rather than a consequence of abuse.

The court awarded joint custody with a week-about shared residence arrangement and minimal child support.