Alberta Women's Shelters Advocate for Continued Oversight as Provincial Committee Concludes
The Alberta Council of Women's Shelters (ACWS) is expressing concern and calling for sustained oversight mechanisms following the conclusion of the provincial family violence death review committee. This committee, which had been operational for more than a decade, officially wrapped up its work at the end of 2025, leaving advocates worried about potential gaps in systemic analysis and prevention strategies.
Committee's Significant Contributions Recognized
ACWS Executive Director Cat Champagne acknowledged the meaningful work accomplished by the committee throughout its existence. "The committee did meaningful work over many years, particularly in identifying patterns and systemic issues that contribute to the most serious and tragic outcomes," Champagne stated in a recent press release. She emphasized that the insights gained from the committee's reviews have substantial value and should continue to inform Alberta's approach to preventing and intervening in family violence situations.
The family violence death review committee was originally established in 2013 with a specific mandate to formally examine family violence deaths across Alberta. Its responsibilities included:
- Identifying systemic issues and trends in family violence cases
- Analyzing risk factors and patterns from reviewed incidents
- Creating comprehensive reports with recommendations for the minister of children and family services
- Providing guidance to reduce family violence throughout the province
Transition to New Approaches
In response to the committee's conclusion, the ACWS has proposed two potential paths forward for the provincial government. The organization hopes Alberta will either establish a new review mechanism to continue making recommendations to the ministry of children and family services, or reinvest the funding previously allocated to the committee into frontline services that directly support victims of family violence.
According to Daniel Verrier, a press secretary with the ministry of children and family services, the provincial government is shifting its focus toward more integrated, forward-looking prevention efforts. The government plans to redirect resources to frontline programs and supports for Albertans impacted by family violence, while expressing gratitude for the committee members' dedication and important contributions over the years.
Recent Committee Work and Current Calls
The committee's recent examinations included analysis of human trafficking cases and the disproportionate impacts of violence on Indigenous women, highlighting the complex nature of family violence in Alberta. The ACWS is now urging the United Conservative Party (UCP) government to release the committee's most recent annual report, which the province has indicated will be available in the spring.
Verrier noted that many insights from the committee, including early intervention strategies, risk identification protocols, and cross-ministry coordination methods, have become standard components of broader government strategies. These elements will continue to guide the government's response to family violence moving forward, even as the formal review committee structure comes to an end.
The conclusion of this committee marks a significant transition in how Alberta addresses family violence prevention and intervention, with advocates emphasizing the importance of maintaining systematic review processes to identify patterns and improve outcomes for vulnerable Albertans.
