Does the mother have any grounds to challenge the findings of the trial judge?

The mother has failed to demonstrate any palpable and overriding error in the findings of fact by the trial judge. To the contrary, I would say that the trial judge dealt with the evidence thoroughly and made his findings in a careful way. The mother has also failed to show any error of law in the trial judge’s application of the jurisprudence, notably Gordon v. Goertz, 1996 CanLII 191 (SCC), [1996] 2 S.C.R. 27. Again, I would say that the trial judge demonstrated a methodical application of the law, notably in his consideration of the situation the child would face in Halifax or St. John’s. I would adopt the reasons of the trial judge (save as noted below) and affirm his decision.