How to Get an Emergency Intervention Order in Saskatchewan
A survivor-first guide to Saskatchewan Emergency Intervention Orders (EIOs) and Victim’s Assistance Orders.
Emergency Intervention Orders and Victim’s Assistance Orders
What is an Emergency Intervention Order (EIO)?
An Emergency Intervention Order (EIO) is a type of protection order available in some parts of Canada, usually under provincial or territorial family violence laws. It is meant for urgent situations where there are serious safety concerns and fast action is needed outside regular court hours or processes.
An EIO can place temporary conditions on the person causing harm, such as staying away from a home, workplace, or school, or not contacting certain people. The exact rules and names for these orders are different across provinces and territories.
Names and details of emergency protection orders vary widely across Canada. Some areas use terms like “Emergency Protection Order (EPO)” or “Restraining Order” instead of EIO.
How EIOs are issued (often without notice)
In many areas that use EIOs, an application can be made by:
- the person experiencing harm
- police, on someone’s behalf
- a designated victim services worker or other official, depending on local law
EIOs are often requested in urgent situations, sometimes by phone or video, especially outside regular court hours. A judge, justice of the peace, or other authorized decision-maker can review the information and decide whether to grant an EIO.
In many cases, an EIO can be made “without notice.” This means the other party (the person the order is against) is not told in advance that the application is happening. The decision-maker relies on the information provided at that time, which may include safety concerns, recent incidents, and risks.
Because EIOs may be issued without notice, the first version of the order is usually temporary and can later be reviewed, changed, or cancelled by a court after both sides have an opportunity to be heard.
Service of the EIO and what it means
Once an EIO is granted, it normally needs to be “served” on the person bound by the order. Service means officially giving that person a copy of the order so they know it exists and what it requires.
Depending on local practices, service might be done by:
- police
- sheriff or court officer
- another authorized person arranged through the court or police
The EIO usually does not fully take effect for the other person until they have been served or formally notified. However, law and procedure around this can differ between provinces and territories.
It is usually safer not to personally serve an EIO on someone. Local police or court staff can explain how service normally works in your area.
Review hearings for EIOs
Because EIOs are often granted quickly and sometimes without notice, there is usually a process for the order to be reviewed. This is sometimes called a “review hearing,” “confirmation hearing,” or similar term.
At a review hearing, a judge or other decision-maker may:
- confirm (keep) the EIO as is
- change (vary) some of the conditions
- cancel (set aside) the order
- replace the EIO with a longer-term order, if the law allows
Both parties may have an opportunity to provide information at the review hearing. In some places, there are timelines for when a review must happen, especially if the other person asks the court to review the order.
Courts and legal rules vary. Local legal clinics, duty counsel at courthouses, or community legal information services may explain the review process where you live, but they cannot guarantee a specific outcome.
What is a Victim’s Assistance Order?
In some provinces and territories, a Victim’s Assistance Order is a type of longer-term civil protection order that can follow, or exist instead of, an EIO. It is usually intended for situations where safety concerns are ongoing, not only in the immediate emergency period.
A Victim’s Assistance Order can include conditions such as:
- no contact or limited contact
- staying away from certain locations (home, work, school, places of worship)
- temporary arrangements about use of the family home or certain property
- other conditions that aim to reduce risks of further harm
These orders often last longer than an EIO, which is usually short term. The specific length, conditions, and application process are different in each province or territory that uses this type of order.
How Victim’s Assistance Orders are obtained
In many areas, a Victim’s Assistance Order requires a more formal court process than an EIO. This might involve:
- filling out court forms
- providing information about safety concerns and past incidents
- going to a court hearing, sometimes more than once
The other party usually receives notice of the application and has an opportunity to respond. A judge reviews the information from both sides and decides whether to grant the order and what conditions to include.
Legal information resources and community organizations can often explain how to apply for longer-term protection orders in your area and what documents are usually needed, without giving individual legal advice.
Safety and support around protection orders
Protection orders, including EIOs and Victim’s Assistance Orders, are one safety tool. They do not guarantee safety, and people’s situations change over time. Some individuals use protection orders together with other steps, such as digital safety planning or support from local services.
Additional support options across Canada can be explored through services listed at https://www.dv.support, which can help connect you with region-specific information and resources.