WEBVTT

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Start with safety.

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If you are in immediate danger,

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contact emergency services.

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Otherwise, ask about a peace

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bond and your province's civil

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protection process.

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You do not generally need a

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previous criminal conviction.

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The right court route depends

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on the relationship, the risk

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and where you live.

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Describe what happened, when,

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who was involved and why you

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fear further harm.

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Preserve original messages,

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photographs, witness details,

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and police file numbers if you

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have them.

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Your own account is evidence, a

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conviction is not a

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prerequisite.

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Explain threats, escalation,

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weapons, and risks to children.

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Do not put yourself in danger

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to collect proof.

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A peace bond is a preventive

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court order.

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The criminal code allows an

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information to be laid before a

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justice by, or on behalf of,

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someone with the specified

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reasonable fear.

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Police or a prosecutor may help

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you with the local process.

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The court must assess the legal

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grounds, reporting an incident

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does not guarantee an immediate

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bond.

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Yes.

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The law now provides a separate

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route for reasonable fear of an

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offence causing personal injury

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to an intimate partner or the

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specified children.

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It normally permits a bond of

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up to 12 months.

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Up to two years is possible

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with the law's specified prior

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conviction involving actual,

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attempted or threatened

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violence.

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Explain the actual risk, being

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separated does not itself

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establish the test.

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In Ontario, ask the family

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court about a restraining

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order.

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Eligibility depends on the

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legal provision and your

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relationship or child safety

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circumstances.

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A new case generally starts

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with an application.

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An urgent motion uses the

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motion form and an affidavit.

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Explain why delay or warning

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the other person creates

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danger.

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The judge decides whether

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proceeding without notice is

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justified.

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In British Columbia, a Family

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Law Act protection order can be

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sought in Provincial Court or

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Supreme Court.

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The court considers whether

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family violence is likely and a

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defined family member is at

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risk.

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Provincial Court uses Form 12.

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You can request a hearing

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without notice and explain the

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urgency.

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Supreme Court has a different

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process.

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Do not treat the ordinary

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notice period as an unavoidable

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emergency wait.

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In Alberta, police can help

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seek an emergency protection

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order, including outside court

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hours.

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There is also a court and

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hearing office application

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route with screening.

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The legal test requires family

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violence, a risk it will

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continue or resume, and urgency

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requiring immediate protection.

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An emergency order must be

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reviewed in King's bench within

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nine working days.

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Keep that review date.

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In Quebec, apply to the

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Superior Court for a civil

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protection order where life,

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health or safety is threatened.

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A current government form

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guides the facts and requested

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conditions.

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The court can make an initial

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order lasting up to 10 days

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without the application first

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being notified to the other

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person.

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Longer protection requires

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notification, an order can

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ultimately last up to five

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years.

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No.

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Applying without notice does

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not mean the order or case

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remains secret.

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Be completely candid, including

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about relevant facts that may

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weaken your request.

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Show existing court orders.

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Ask the Registry or a victim

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support service about a safe

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address and service

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arrangements before filing.

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Do not personally approach

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someone dangerous to deliver

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papers.

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Ask for conditions matching the

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risk, contact restrictions,

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protected places, safe

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collection of belongings or

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arrangements involving

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children.

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Imagine needing a child

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handover while a no-contact

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order is in force.

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Show the court every relevant

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order and ask for lawful

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arrangements.

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Do not assume a new civil order

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or a private agreement changes

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existing criminal conditions.

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Keep a copy, check every

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condition and confirm who will

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notify or serve the other

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person.

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Record the review, return and

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expiry dates.

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Attend the next hearing if

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protection needs to continue.

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Report suspected breaches and

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seek emergency help for

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immediate danger.

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An order is one part of your

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safety plan, it cannot

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guarantee that another person

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will comply.

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For free general legal

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information, Legal Hotline's

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Canada number is on your screen

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now.

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Legal Hotline is not a law

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firm.

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Its information line uses AI.

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Lawyer matching is a separate

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service, subject to

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availability and acceptance.

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For advice on your own

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situation, speak with a lawyer

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in your province.

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In immediate danger, contact

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emergency services.