In February of 2008, Justice and Consumer Affairs Minister T.J. Burke announced the appointment of a Task Force to examine the issues and challenges faced by the Family Division of the Court of Queen’s Bench.

Led by Justice Raymond Guerette of Campbellton, the seven-member task force included Michelle Boudreau-Dumas of Campbellton; Sheila Cameron of Moncton; Jennifer Donovan of Fredericton; Mary-Eileen Flanagan of Saint John; David Lutz, Q.C. of Hampton; and Brenda Noble, Q.C. of Saint John.

The Task Force was mandated to make recommendations to government that would lead to:

• More timely access to justice in resolving family law disputes;  

• Expanded use of alternatives to the family court to resolve family law issues; and,  

• Increased access to legal information and legal assistance in family law matters.  

The Report of the Access to Family Justice Task Force was tabled on June 2, 2009.