For anyone facing violence or threats at home, every second counts. The terrifying gap between the decision to seek help and the moment legal protection is granted can be one of the most dangerous periods in a survivor's life. Historically, the court system's necessary procedures and backlog often meant this gap was measured in weeks, not days.

But as of summer 2025, that is changing. The Ontario government has rolled out critical amendments to the Family Law Act, specifically designed to cut through the red tape and accelerate the process for obtaining protection orders (often called restraining orders).

For victims in Mississauga, this isn't just a minor legal tweak; it's a fundamental shift designed to deliver safety faster. This guide summarizes these crucial amendments and outlines the concrete next steps you can take to secure protection in Peel Region.

Previously, getting a protection order involved filing an application, serving documents on the abusive party (a step that could create more danger), and then waiting for a hearing date on a crowded court docket. This systemic delay often left victims in a state of high alert and vulnerability. The 2025 amendments are a direct attack on these delays.

The new rules are engineered for one primary purpose: speed. They create new urgent pathways and use technology to get a survivor's case before a judge as quickly as possible.

1. Emergency 'Without Notice' Motions are Now More Accessible

The most powerful change is the broadened access to ex parte motions, also known as motions "without notice." This allows a victim (the applicant) to have an urgent hearing with a judge before the abusive party (the respondent) is even notified.

• How it works: A judge can grant a temporary, emergency protection order based solely on the victim's evidence if the situation is deemed too dangerous to wait. This order provides instant legal protection while a date is set for a full hearing where both parties can be heard.

2. Introduction of a "Presumption of Urgency"

To fast-track the most dangerous cases, the law now includes a presumption of urgency. If your situation involves specific high-risk factors, the court is required to treat it as an emergency. These factors include:

• Recent incidents of physical violence.
• Credible threats of harm against you or your children.
• A pattern of stalking or obsessive harassment.
• Recent confiscation of your passport or other key documents.

This presumption pushes your case to the front of the line at the courthouse serving Mississauga.

3. Digital Filing and Remote Hearings as Standard

The courthouse for Peel Region is now set up for a digital-first approach to urgent family matters.

• Online Filing: You can now file your application and all supporting documents through a secure online portal, saving time and eliminating the need for multiple trips to the courthouse.
• Remote Hearings: Urgent protection order hearings can now happen by video conference. This not only makes scheduling faster but also allows a survivor to attend court from a safe location, without having to be in the same building as their abuser.

Knowing about these changes is the first step. Taking action is the next. If you are in Mississauga and need immediate protection, here is your 3-step guide.

Step 1: Prioritize Your Safety and Document Everything

• Contact a Support Line: If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential support, safety planning, and resources, contact Unsafe at Home Peel via text or chat, or call a local shelter like Interim Place. They are experts who can guide you.
• Gather Your Evidence: Your request for an emergency order must be supported by evidence. Create a private log of incidents, take screenshots of threatening messages, photograph any injuries, and note the names of any witnesses. This will be the foundation of your court documents.

Step 2: Connect with Legal Support

Even with a simplified process, legal guidance is crucial.

• Courthouse Support: The main courthouse for Mississauga is the A. Grenville and William G. Davis Courthouse at 7755 Hurontario Street in Brampton. Visit the Family Court Support Centre there for free information on the new forms and procedures.
• Legal Aid Ontario: Immediately see if you qualify for a free lawyer through their provincial program. They have specific certificates for domestic violence cases.
• Peel Community Legal Services: This local clinic provides free legal services and advice to low-income residents of Peel Region.

Step 3: File an Urgent Motion for a Protection Order

Working with your support network and lawyer, you will file your application.

• Use the Right Forms: You will need to complete several forms, including a Form 8 (Application) and a Form 35.1 (Affidavit). Your affidavit is your story, told under oath.
• Highlight the Urgency: In your affidavit, use your evidence to clearly show why your case meets the "presumption of urgency." Use clear headings like "Request for Urgent Hearing Without Notice" so the court staff can flag your file immediately.
• File Digitally: Whenever possible, use the online portal to file your documents. It is the fastest and most efficient way to get your case into the system.

These 2025 changes to the Family Law Act are a lifeline. They provide survivors in Mississauga with a clear, fast, and accessible path to safety, backed by a legal system that is finally evolving to meet the urgency of the moment.

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1. With the new 2025 changes, how fast can I get an emergency protection order in Mississauga?

The goal of the amendments is to have high-risk cases heard within days. By filing an emergency motion "without notice," it's possible to get a temporary order from a judge at the Brampton courthouse in as little as 24-48 hours, providing immediate protection.

2. Do I have to face my abuser in court to get this faster emergency order?

No. The core benefit of an emergency "without notice" hearing is that you appear before the judge for the initial, temporary order without your abuser present. This is to ensure your immediate safety. A follow-up hearing, where your abuser can respond, will be scheduled for a later date.

3. What kind of proof do I need to trigger the "presumption of urgency"?

You need to provide credible information in a sworn legal document called an affidavit. This can include your detailed description of recent violence, screenshots of threatening texts, a police report number, or statements from people who witnessed the abuse.

4. Can I really file all my court documents online for a case in Mississauga?

Yes. The court system serving Peel Region now has a secure online portal for submitting applications and evidence for urgent family law cases. This is the recommended and fastest way to file. Local legal clinics can help guide you through this process.

5. What if the abuse isn't physical? Can I still get a protection order?

Yes. Protection orders can be granted to stop any form of harassment, including stalking, threatening behaviour, and non-stop unwanted contact. While the "presumption of urgency" is often tied to threats of physical harm, a severe and well-documented pattern of psychological abuse or coercive control can also be grounds for an urgent order.

6. Where in the courthouse for Peel Region can I get help with the new forms?

You should go to the Family Court Support Centre located inside the A. Grenville and William G. Davis Courthouse at 7755 Hurontario Street in Brampton. The staff there provide free information and assistance with navigating the family court process.1

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