Restorative Resolution Services

Benefits of Mediation

Less costly and quicker than a court battle, mediation agreements may be used for a lawyer to prepare a legal agreement or a court application.
Informal, convenient, and human-centered, non-adversarial process.
More likely to restore relationships needed for continuance, e.g., co-parenting and strengthening workplace teams.
Parties maintain their autonomy to settle the conflict. They can craft creative solutions to meet their specific needs, rather than having a third party, such as an arbitrator, tribunal, or judge, make the decision.
Completely confidential, off-the-record discussions. The parties must agree on who will share the outcomes of the mediation and how the information shall be shared. The mediator may prepare a summary report.

Considerations

Informal conflict resolution processes such as mediation and facilitated dialogues are voluntary. There is no guarantee that the process will resolve the conflict or address the underlying issues.
Parties agree to participate in good faith, be open and honest about the issues, aiming to find common ground, and agree on the best way to move forward for resolution and restore peaceful relations.
A mediator cannot give legal advice. Therefore, parties are encouraged to obtain a legal opinion at any time during the mediation process.
Mediators do not decide who is right or wrong, take sides, offer advice, or impose solutions.
Parties usually share the costs of the mediator's fees and expenses.

Mediation can be in-person, by video conference, or both.

Mediation can resolve conflicts:

Within families. Helping parents and families to resolve issues that affect their children, or cope with challenges of a divorce or separation.

Between social workers and caregivers/legal guardians. Contested court applications and service plan conflicts, e.g. guardianship, placement, visitation, safety, or permanency plan.

In the Workplace. Interpersonal and performance-related conflicts between:

- co-workers

- supervisors and staff/contractors, or

- service providers and their clients/customers.

Within Organizations. Governance and membership disputes, formal complaints.

Between Neighbors and Communities.

- noise complaints, land-use issues

- an inter-municipal development plan or collaborative framework disagreements

- a breakdown in relationships (understandings) within or between government and Indigenous communities.

Mediation Services

The team at True Dialogue offers professional restorative mediators and facilitators dedicated to guiding individuals and groups through challenging situations with skill and empathy. Whether it's navigating family, workplace, or community conflicts, their expertise ensures effective processes to foster understanding for resolution. See below for more information:

GENERAL CONFLICTS - FACILITATED DIALOGUE

If you're involved in a formal or legal proceeding and the conflict is impacting well-being, sense of safety, and community relationships, engaging in an informal, voluntary, facilitated dialogue process can help repair harm to people and relationships. Services aim to promote healing, learning, and growth, and ultimately benefit the community's ability to thrive.

FAMILY MEDIATION

If you're navigating the challenges of separation or divorce, mediation can help you develop a positive and cooperative co-parenting relationship, fostering stability and understanding for your family.

WORKPLACE MEDIATION

Restorative mediation services are a practical solution for addressing workplace conflicts and formal grievances, offering a timely and cost-effective path to resolution while building a culture of respect and collaboration.

CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES MEDIATION

Mediation services offer a collaborative problem-solving process for children, youth, and families to work with Child and Family Services in addressing safety and care issues. Arriving at common understandings through respectful dialogue leads to good decision-making on how to move forward in the best interests of at-risk children and youth.