R.B.F. v. K.G., (1993) 147 A.R. 376 (ProvCt)

• Judge: Landerkin, P.C.J.
• Court: Provincial Court of Alberta (Canada)
• Case Date: December 01, 1993
• Citations: (1993), 147 A.R. 376 (ProvCt)

R.B.F. v. K.G. (1993), 147 A.R. 376 (ProvCt)

MLB headnote and full text

R.B.F. (applicant) v. K.G. (respondent)

(CFC 115672)

Indexed As: R.B.F. v. K.G.

Alberta Provincial Court

Family Division

Judicial District of Calgary

Landerkin, P.C.J.

December 1, 1993.

Summary:

K.G., an unmarried woman, had a baby. The biological father, R.B.F., applied for access pursuant to s. 32 of the Provincial Court Act. K.G. objected to the jurisdiction of the court, arguing that the biological father was not a parent or guardian under Alberta law.

The Alberta Provincial Court struck out the father's application, holding that it lacked jurisdiction.

Courts - Topic 8426

Provincial courts - Alberta - Provincial Court - Family Division - Custody and access to children - [See Family Law - Topic 1827 ].

Family Law - Topic 1827

Custody and access - Rights of a natural father - Jurisdiction of court - An unmarried woman had a baby - The bio­logical father applied under s. 32 of the Provincial Court Act for access - The child's mother argued that the court lacked juris­diction because the biological father was not a parent or guardian under Alberta law - The Alberta Provincial Court held that the effect of 1991 amendments to the Domestic Relations Act, precluded a bio­logical father of a child born out of wed­lock from applying for custody and access in Provincial Court without first being declared to be a parent or being appointed a legal guardian - The court struck out the father's application without prejudice to his right to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction to be recognized as guardian.

Family Law - Topic 2000.2

Custody and access - Access - Right of access - Right of natural parents - [See Family Law - Topic 1827 ].

Family Law - Topic 2005

Custody and access - Access - Access order - Jurisdiction of court respecting - [See Family Law - Topic 1827 ].

Family Law - Topic 2115

Custody and access - Jurisdiction - Gen­eral principles - [See Family Law - Topic 1827 ].

Cases Noticed:

Knight v. Knight and Herringer (1993), 132 A.R. 341 (Prov. Ct. Fam. Div.), refd to. [para. 2].

White v. Barrett, [1973] 3 W.W.R. 293 (Alta. C.A.), not folld. [para. 3].

W.D. v. G.P. (1982), 54 A.R. 161 (C.A.), consd. [para. 3].

H.A.D. and R.M.D. v. N.C.M. (1993), 145 A.R. 200; 55 W.A.C. 200 (C.A.), affing. (1993), 10 Alta. L.R.(3d) 395 (Q.B.), folld. [para. 4].

S.(J.W.) v. M.(N.C.) (1993), 10 Alta. L.R.(3d) 395 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 10].

S.(J.W.) v. M.(N.C.) - see H.A.D. and R.M.D. v. N.C.M.

L.G.A.B., Re (1989), 101 A.R. 92; 72 Alta. L.R.(2d) 9 (Prov. Ct.), refd to. [para. 24].

L.C. v. W.C. (1988), 90 A.R. 262; 62 Alta. L.R.(2d) 66; 17 R.F.L.(3d) 23 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 24].

Family Relations Act of British Columbia, Re, [1982] 1 S.C.R. 62; 40 N.R. 206, refd to. [para. 26].

Statutes Noticed:

Constitution Act, 1867, sect. 96 [para. 23].

Domestic Relations Act, R.S.A. 1980, c. D-37, sect. 47 [para. 7]; sect. 50 [para. 19]; Part 8 [para. 22].

Provincial Court Act, R.S.A. 1980, c. P-20, sect. 32 [para. 6].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Alberta Law Reform Institute, Status of Children Reports, generally [para. 21].

Counsel:

Applicant appeared in person;

B.A.F. Edy, appeared for the respondent.

This application was heard by Landerkin, P.C.J., of the Alberta Provincial Court, Family Division, Judicial District of Calgary, who delivered written reasons for judgment on December 1, 1993.