85.2 Expanded Use of Mediation – with Standards for Mediation Professionals
Whereas, There is a growing awareness that the adversarial system is often not the best way to deal with family disputes or marital breakdown;
Whereas, Suffering due to human conflict cannot be dealt with in purely legal terms;
Whereas, Mediation conducted by a well-trained and skilled mediator can lend the support necessary for women to obtain custody and financial support; and,
Whereas, Mediation conducted by a well-trained and skilled mediator tends to result in agreements which have a higher probability of being adhered to than court-imposed orders; therefore be it,
RESOLVED, That The National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to promote the use of mediation as an alternative to court litigation for the settling of family disputes, to develop standards for the training and accreditation of mediation professionals and the establishment of a resource of experts for mediation and conciliation purposes; be it further,
RESOLVED, That The National Council of Women of Canada request the Provincial Councils of Women to urge their respective governments to develop standards for the profession of mediation and the use of the services of such professionals as an alternative to court litigation.