Parenting arrangements after separation (Canada)

Since 2021 Canadian law no longer says custody and access. Parents have parenting time and decision-making responsibility, set out in a parenting plan or, if a court is involved, a parenting order. Justice Canada publishes a free Parenting Plan Tool to help you write one.

In Ontario the rules are in the provincial Children’s Law Reform Act for unmarried parents and the federal Divorce Act for divorcing ones, but the words and the child’s best interests test are the same.

• A parenting plan can be informal or made part of a court order; the Parenting Plan Tool is free (justice.gc.ca).
• The words are parenting time and decision-making responsibility; contact is reserved for people who are not parents (justice.gc.ca).
• Ontario’s Law Society referral line on 1-855-947-5255 gives a free half-hour consultation with a lawyer (ontario.ca).

Sources checked September 2026. Government pages change; the links go to the official page for the latest.

• A written parenting plan you both sign is the starting point almost everywhere.
• Courts expect you to try mediation before applying, unless there is family violence.
• Orders are about the child’s best interests, not about which parent is right.
• A clear shared record of handovers and messages makes every later step calmer.

Whatever route you take, a calm shared record helps. ParenThing keeps messages, the calendar, costs and handovers in one private place both parents can see, and your data is held in the EU. See how it works for Canadian families.