This document suggests ways in which Canadian organizations in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors can approach the development of policies that are supportive of families. The document is organized into 4 chapters. The first chapter describes changes that have occurred in Canadian Families in the last 50 years. Twelve charts depict data concerning these changes. The second chapter examines the diversity among and within families and notes the consequences of this diversity for public policy. It also reviews recent trends in demographic, social, and economic change that affect families and public policy. The third chapter outlines the concept of families as open systems that permeate society as a whole. It distinguishes between remedial and systemic approaches to family policy. The final chapter suggests a framework of principles for evaluating the degree to which policies respond to the needs of families. It also examines the broad array of public policies that affect families. (GLR)