u/Equal-Tea2640

I am the father of a four year old. On March 1st, the mother (my ex gf) left with the child. She left to go be with her family out of province but she didn’t return when she said she would.

I’ll be the first to admit that our relationship wasn’t healthy and unfortunately sometimes would get physical. It’s hard to admit but she charged me shortly after she left to be with her family. I’m still in court proceedings for that. There’s still a no contact order.

When she didn’t return when she was supposed to, I got a lawyer and we have filed for the child to be returned back to Manitoba. I submitted all my paperwork and it’s been filed. Court date to be determined. Turns out she’s planning on staying where she is with the kid and she’s tried filing for full custody in Alberta. I’m opposing that.

What are my chances of getting full custody of my kid and getting him back to my province? I don’t wanna do any across province parenting. The kid was born in Manitoba and I didn’t consent to this move. I just miss my boy.

Throwaway account…

I’m looking for some insight from anyone familiar with Canadian family law, relocation cases, or interprovincial custody disputes.

I am the mother of a toddler and have been her primary caregiver since birth. She is still breastfed and has always primarily been in my care.

Earlier this year, I came to Saskatchewan with my toddler. Her father knew where we were and initially believed this was temporary. At the time, I had planned to return to Alberta. However, after police became involved, things changed. The father is now facing criminal charges of domestic violence against myself and there is currently a no-contact order in place.

After the police involvement and no-contact order, I was strongly advised to remain where I felt safe with my child. Since being in Saskatchewan, my child and I have become much more stable and supported. We have been here for months now. I have not hidden her from her father and he has always known where we are.

Now his lawyer has filed proceedings in Alberta. Their documents characterize the situation as “child abduction/failing to return children,” which is very upsetting to me because I have never endangered my child and I did not disappear with her. They are pushing for Alberta to keep jurisdiction and are asking for urgent hearings regarding jurisdiction/relocation issues.

I do have a lawyer and am speaking with her, but I’m trying to understand realistically:

-How courts typically handle situations like this
-Whether Saskatchewan could potentially keep jurisdiction
-Whether Alberta being found as the proper jurisdiction automatically means my child and I would have to move back

How much weight do courts actually place on no-contact orders, criminal charges of domestic violence, primary caregiver status, breastfeeding, and stability/safety after relocation

Also whether courts generally force infants back quickly in situations involving active criminal proceedings/family violence charges.
I know nobody can predict outcomes, but I’d appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through something similar or works in this area.

Please help me, this has been the most stressful thing I have ever gone through and I’m trying to do what’s best for my daughter. I am heartbroken at the thought of giving up the peace we have gone through hell to get.