Father Rights Canada / Partner has not seen or talked to his children since March

Could you please make an anon post for me? We are looking for help. Ontario - Partner has not seen or talked to his children since March. They were in an access centre until their next court date because the judge wanted to have his parenting skills evaluated as he has had his children withheld from him for over a year. OCL involved, and report disputed, with lawyers help, because it was very one sided in investigation. Then Covid happened. The centre closed. The centre then offered to set up video and phone access for participants until in person access could resume, but the mother refused to participate. Months have gone by and my partner has no idea how his children are. He paid his lawyer another $1500 retainer on Friday and on Monday contacted her to ask her to file an emergency motion...she flat out refused. She first said she was "too busy" to do it that week but would do it next week. Then she said she would not file an ex parte because it was "common courtesy" to let the other lawyer know what they were doing. What?!? Partner said "I need you to do this, I have not seen or hear from my children in months!". Then the lawyer played the "you're bullying me and I don't think this relationship will work" card. HIGHLY unprofessional IMO, especially after taking another retainer only to tell your client "you're too busy". Anyway, my partner fired her. Has anyone here had to file an Ex Parte motion on their own and could offer some guidance? We're looking for a new lawyer in the meantime but all the good ones are tied up or out of financial grasp.Thank you.

Contact Location: Kitchener