Nancy Carter

Over a distinguished 30-year career with the BC Public Service, Nancy Carter has been a transformative leader in legislative reform and family justice, helping reshape the legal landscape in British Columbia. Rising through increasingly senior roles in the Ministry of Attorney General, Nancy shaped some of the province’s most significant legal bills, reforms and acts, including the Family Law Act, Wills, Estates and Succession Act, Limitation Act and Franchises Act. Her vision and leadership transformed family law by promoting less adversarial approaches to dispute resolution, placing the best interests of children and families at the centre of decision-making and advancing a groundbreaking understanding of family violence and its impacts.

The influence of Nancy’s work extends beyond British Columbia, with key elements of B.C.’s Family Law Act reflected in amendments to Canada’s federal Divorce Act, positioning the province as a leader in family justice innovation.

Nancy’s enduring legacy is not only defined by her legislative achievements, but also by her unwavering commitment to collaboration, public service and people-centred change. The foundation of her remarkable achievements are the relationships she has built and her reputation as a respectful listener who values diverse perspectives and experiences from people throughout British Columbia.

Nancy led the development of the Provincial Court Family Rules and the Early Resolution Model, innovations that have improved access to justice, significantly reduced court appearances and delays and helped thousands of families navigate disputes more effectively and with less conflict. Known for her ability to build trust across government, the judiciary, Indigenous communities and legal professionals, Nancy brought diverse voices together to achieve consensus and understanding on complex and sensitive issues. As a respected mentor and leader, she fostered high-performing teams, invested in the growth of colleagues and exemplified the values of the BC Public Service. Through her leadership, British Columbia’s family justice system has become more accessible, responsive and compassionate, leaving a lasting impact on families, courts and the legal community.