Accurate
Country-specific legal content
Drafted with legal expertise for each jurisdiction, far more thorough than AI-generated drafts that copy generic clauses across borders.
LegalCanada
Parenting Plan Template
A Parenting Plan is a written agreement between separated parents that records the allocation of decision-making responsibility, the parenting-time schedule, holiday and vacation arrangements, communication and transition protocols, and the dispute-resolution mechanism for the children. Our free Canadian template is aligned with the 2021 Divorce Act terminology reforms (decision-making responsibility, parenting time, contact) and tracks the widely-cited AFCC Ontario Parenting Plan Guide and Template — the leading-practice reference routinely adopted by Ontario family courts.
Free to useInstant PDFNo account required
PDF (free) + editable Word (.docx) with Expert
PARENTING PLAN
Province Of Ontario, Canada · Divorce Act 2021 / AFCC Ontario Aligned
PARENT 1
Caroline Anne Martel
218 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, ON M4V 1R3
Phone: +1 416 555 0118
Email: caroline.martel@example.ca
Occupation: Registered Nurse
Phone: +1 416 555 0118
Email: caroline.martel@example.ca
Occupation: Registered Nurse
PARENT 2
Jonathan Edward Park
52 Lawton Boulevard, Toronto, ON M4V 1Z7
Phone: +1 416 555 0192
Email: jonathan.park@example.ca
Occupation: Senior Manager
Phone: +1 416 555 0192
Email: jonathan.park@example.ca
Occupation: Senior Manager
Children: 2
Agreement Date: 2026-05-31 · Province: Ontario
THIS PARENTING PLAN (the "Plan") is made on 2026-05-31 between Caroline Anne Martel ("Parent 1") and Jonathan Edward Park ("Parent 2"), who are the Parents of the Children listed in Article 2 below. The Parents intend this Plan to govern decision-making responsibility, parenting time and contact in respect of the Children, in accordance with the federal Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3 (2nd Supp.), as amended in 2021, and Part III of the Children's Law Reform Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12 (as amended by the Moving Ontario Family Law Forward Act, 2020, S.O. 2020, c. 25, in force March 2021). The Parents agree that the best interests of each Child are paramount, and that this Plan is to be interpreted and applied consistently with the best-interests-of-child test in section 16 of the Divorce Act (including the family-violence factors in subsections 16(3) and 16(4)).
1.
PARAMOUNTCY OF THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN
The Parents acknowledge that under section 16(1) of the Divorce Act, and Part III of the Children's Law Reform Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12 (as amended by the Moving Ontario Family Law Forward Act, 2020, S.O. 2020, c. 25, in force March 2021), the best interests of each Child are the only consideration in making any parenting decision. The Parents shall give primary consideration to each Child's physical, emotional and psychological safety, security and well-being (Divorce Act s. 16(2)), and shall consider all of the s. 16(3) factors — including the nature and strength of the Child's relationship with each Parent and other significant persons, each Parent's willingness to support the development and maintenance of the Child's relationship with the other Parent, the history of care of the Child, the Child's views and preferences (giving due weight to age and maturity), the Child's cultural, linguistic, religious and spiritual upbringing and heritage, any plans for the Child's care, the ability and willingness of each Parent to care for and meet the needs of the Child, the ability and willingness of each Parent to communicate and cooperate, and the family violence factors in subsections 16(3)(j) and 16(4).
2.
CHILDREN COVERED BY THIS PLAN
The Children to whom this Plan applies are 2 in number:
Sophie Elise Park, born 14 March 2017 (age 9), Grade 4 at Brown Junior Public School.
William James Park, born 22 August 2019 (age 6), Grade 1 at Brown Junior Public School.
Sophie Elise Park, born 14 March 2017 (age 9), Grade 4 at Brown Junior Public School.
William James Park, born 22 August 2019 (age 6), Grade 1 at Brown Junior Public School.
3.
DECISION-MAKING RESPONSIBILITY — DIVORCE ACT S. 16.1
The Parents have allocated decision-making responsibility for the Children as follows: Joint decision-making — both Parents share decision-making responsibility for all major decisions. The categories of major decisions include the Children's education, health care, religious or spiritual upbringing, and significant extracurricular activities.
Education decisions: Both Parents must agree on school selection and any change of school, on enrollment in summer programs, and on tutoring of more than five sessions per term.
Health-care decisions: Both Parents must agree on selection of family physician, dentist, optometrist, and any specialist referral; routine illness care is at the discretion of the residential Parent.
Religious / spiritual upbringing: The Children shall continue to attend Sunday services at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church when in either Parent's care; any change of religious upbringing requires both Parents' agreement.
Extracurricular decisions: Both Parents must agree on enrollment in any new competitive sport, on participation in any travel team, and on any extracurricular activity exceeding $500/term.
For everyday decisions made while a Child is in the care of one Parent, the Parent with whom the Child is then residing has full decision-making authority (subject to the major-decisions allocation above), consistent with section 16.1(3) of the Divorce Act.
Education decisions: Both Parents must agree on school selection and any change of school, on enrollment in summer programs, and on tutoring of more than five sessions per term.
Health-care decisions: Both Parents must agree on selection of family physician, dentist, optometrist, and any specialist referral; routine illness care is at the discretion of the residential Parent.
Religious / spiritual upbringing: The Children shall continue to attend Sunday services at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church when in either Parent's care; any change of religious upbringing requires both Parents' agreement.
Extracurricular decisions: Both Parents must agree on enrollment in any new competitive sport, on participation in any travel team, and on any extracurricular activity exceeding $500/term.
For everyday decisions made while a Child is in the care of one Parent, the Parent with whom the Child is then residing has full decision-making authority (subject to the major-decisions allocation above), consistent with section 16.1(3) of the Divorce Act.
4.
PARENTING TIME — DIVORCE ACT S. 16.1
The Parents shall share parenting time with the Children as follows: Shared parenting time — 2-2-3 rotation.
Primary residence for the Children: Both residences are designated primary for school-board enrollment purposes; the Children attend Brown Junior Public School regardless of which Parent has parenting time on any given day..
Weekly schedule particulars:
2-2-3 rotation: Monday-Tuesday with Parent 1, Wednesday-Thursday with Parent 2, Friday-Sunday alternates each week. Children attend the same school throughout.
Each Parent shall have full parental authority and responsibility during their respective periods of parenting time. The Parents recognise that consistent, predictable routines materially support the Children's well-being and shall give effect to this schedule absent agreement to the contrary or a genuine emergency.
Primary residence for the Children: Both residences are designated primary for school-board enrollment purposes; the Children attend Brown Junior Public School regardless of which Parent has parenting time on any given day..
Weekly schedule particulars:
2-2-3 rotation: Monday-Tuesday with Parent 1, Wednesday-Thursday with Parent 2, Friday-Sunday alternates each week. Children attend the same school throughout.
Each Parent shall have full parental authority and responsibility during their respective periods of parenting time. The Parents recognise that consistent, predictable routines materially support the Children's well-being and shall give effect to this schedule absent agreement to the contrary or a genuine emergency.
5.
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARENTS
The Parents shall communicate respectfully and directly in relation to all matters affecting the Children. Primary method: Email for all non-urgent matters; text message for time-sensitive matters; phone only for true emergencies. Preferred application: OurFamilyWizard (parenting communication and scheduling). The Parents shall provide each other with current contact information at all times and shall not use the Children to relay messages. Each Parent shall have reasonable telephone, video and electronic contact with the Children during the other Parent's parenting time. The Children's health care providers, schools and child-care providers may communicate directly with either Parent on any matter affecting the Children, and each Parent authorises this communication.
6.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE — AGE-APPROPRIATE PARENTING TIME
The Parents acknowledge that the parenting-time schedule must be calibrated to the developmental stage of each Child, applying the leading-practice age-band recommendations published by the AFCC Ontario Parenting Plan Guide and confirmed by the developmental literature reviewed in Marvin v Pesce, 2024 ONSC 5841 and earlier appellate decisions.
Developmental focus: School-age (6-12 years) — week-on / week-off or 2-2-3 increasingly suitable.
Particulars:
Sophie (9) is in a stable peer group at Brown JPS and benefits from longer, predictable blocks with each Parent; the 2-2-3 schedule preserves the school routine while ensuring she does not go more than three days without contact with either Parent.
William (6) is in Grade 1 and requires consistent morning routines for school readiness; both Parents commit to identical wake / breakfast / departure routines so that William has continuity regardless of which Parent has weekday morning parenting time.
Special-needs considerations:
William has been diagnosed with mild ADHD (combined-presentation, October 2025). Both Parents shall consult with his treating psychologist, Dr. Margaret Chen (CRPO 6789), before any change to his medication or therapy schedule.
The Parents shall review the schedule against the Children's evolving developmental needs at least annually and shall make adjustments in good faith.
Developmental focus: School-age (6-12 years) — week-on / week-off or 2-2-3 increasingly suitable.
Particulars:
Sophie (9) is in a stable peer group at Brown JPS and benefits from longer, predictable blocks with each Parent; the 2-2-3 schedule preserves the school routine while ensuring she does not go more than three days without contact with either Parent.
William (6) is in Grade 1 and requires consistent morning routines for school readiness; both Parents commit to identical wake / breakfast / departure routines so that William has continuity regardless of which Parent has weekday morning parenting time.
Special-needs considerations:
William has been diagnosed with mild ADHD (combined-presentation, October 2025). Both Parents shall consult with his treating psychologist, Dr. Margaret Chen (CRPO 6789), before any change to his medication or therapy schedule.
The Parents shall review the schedule against the Children's evolving developmental needs at least annually and shall make adjustments in good faith.
7.
HOLIDAY AND VACATION SCHEDULE
The Parents shall share statutory, religious and personal holidays as well as school breaks and summer vacation as follows:
Rotation method: Odd years (2027, 2029, 2031): Parent 1 has Christmas Eve through 26 December, Parent 2 has 27 December through 1 January. Even years: reversed..
Summer vacation: Four (4) weeks of summer vacation with each Parent in 2026 (two non-consecutive blocks of two (2) weeks each).
Selection: Parent 1 picks first in even years, Parent 2 in odd years. Choices to be exchanged by 1 April each year.
Spring break: Alternates annually — Parent 1 in 2026 (even), Parent 2 in 2027 (odd).
Winter holidays (Christmas / New Year): See holiday rotation method above.
Other statutory and religious holidays:
Family Day (ON statutory): alternates annually.
Good Friday and Easter Monday: alternates annually, beginning with Parent 1 in 2026.
Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving: spent with the Parent whose regular weekend it would have been.
The holiday and vacation schedule supersedes the regular weekly parenting-time schedule. Each Parent shall be given a minimum of thirty (30) days' advance written notice of intended vacation dates. Mother's Day shall be with Parent 1 (or the Children's mother if applicable) and Father's Day with Parent 2 (or the father), regardless of the regular schedule.
Rotation method: Odd years (2027, 2029, 2031): Parent 1 has Christmas Eve through 26 December, Parent 2 has 27 December through 1 January. Even years: reversed..
Summer vacation: Four (4) weeks of summer vacation with each Parent in 2026 (two non-consecutive blocks of two (2) weeks each).
Selection: Parent 1 picks first in even years, Parent 2 in odd years. Choices to be exchanged by 1 April each year.
Spring break: Alternates annually — Parent 1 in 2026 (even), Parent 2 in 2027 (odd).
Winter holidays (Christmas / New Year): See holiday rotation method above.
Other statutory and religious holidays:
Family Day (ON statutory): alternates annually.
Good Friday and Easter Monday: alternates annually, beginning with Parent 1 in 2026.
Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving: spent with the Parent whose regular weekend it would have been.
The holiday and vacation schedule supersedes the regular weekly parenting-time schedule. Each Parent shall be given a minimum of thirty (30) days' advance written notice of intended vacation dates. Mother's Day shall be with Parent 1 (or the Children's mother if applicable) and Father's Day with Parent 2 (or the father), regardless of the regular schedule.
8.
TRANSITIONS AND HIGH-CONFLICT PROTOCOLS
Transition location: Brown Junior Public School at the start and end of the school day (Monday and Wednesday transitions); Mount Pleasant Cemetery north gate for weekend transitions (neutral public location).
Handover protocol:
Children's backpacks, homework, sports equipment and weekend bag prepared and ready 30 minutes before transition.
No transitions during meal times, bedtime or active homework periods.
Receiving Parent confirms safe arrival by text message to the other Parent within 30 minutes of pickup.
High-conflict provisions:
No conflict discussion in the presence of the Children. All Parent-to-Parent communication takes place through OurFamilyWizard (not text or phone) so that a written record exists for any future dispute.
The Parents shall minimise exposure of the Children to inter-Parent conflict. Disagreements shall not be discussed in the presence or hearing of the Children. Each Parent shall arrive at transitions on time, with the Children's necessary items (clothing, school supplies, medications, comfort objects) prepared and labelled.
Handover protocol:
Children's backpacks, homework, sports equipment and weekend bag prepared and ready 30 minutes before transition.
No transitions during meal times, bedtime or active homework periods.
Receiving Parent confirms safe arrival by text message to the other Parent within 30 minutes of pickup.
High-conflict provisions:
No conflict discussion in the presence of the Children. All Parent-to-Parent communication takes place through OurFamilyWizard (not text or phone) so that a written record exists for any future dispute.
The Parents shall minimise exposure of the Children to inter-Parent conflict. Disagreements shall not be discussed in the presence or hearing of the Children. Each Parent shall arrive at transitions on time, with the Children's necessary items (clothing, school supplies, medications, comfort objects) prepared and labelled.
9.
MOBILITY, FAMILY VIOLENCE AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Mobility / relocation notice — Divorce Act ss. 16.9 and 16.93. A Parent who intends to relocate (or to relocate with a Child) shall give the other Parent at least 60 days' written notice of the proposed relocation, in the form required by Schedule VI to the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings Regulations, including the proposed date of relocation, the new address, contact information, and a proposal for how parenting time, decision-making responsibility and contact could continue. If the other Parent objects to the relocation within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice, the relocation may not proceed without a court order. The burden of proof on a relocation application is governed by section 16.93 of the Divorce Act and the framework in Barendregt v Grebliunas, 2022 SCC 22.
Dispute resolution staircase. The Parents agree to use the following dispute-resolution staircase in respect of any disagreement arising under this Plan, before any application to a court:
Step 1 — Direct discussion within seven (7) days of the issue arising.
Step 2 — Written exchange of positions via OurFamilyWizard.
Step 3 — Mediation with an accredited family mediator (Riverdale Mediation roster) within 30 days of Step 2 failing.
Step 4 — Arbitration under the Ontario Arbitration Act with an arbitrator agreed in advance or, failing agreement, appointed by the FDRIO roster.
Step 5 — Application to a court of competent jurisdiction (last resort).
Dispute resolution staircase. The Parents agree to use the following dispute-resolution staircase in respect of any disagreement arising under this Plan, before any application to a court:
Step 1 — Direct discussion within seven (7) days of the issue arising.
Step 2 — Written exchange of positions via OurFamilyWizard.
Step 3 — Mediation with an accredited family mediator (Riverdale Mediation roster) within 30 days of Step 2 failing.
Step 4 — Arbitration under the Ontario Arbitration Act with an arbitrator agreed in advance or, failing agreement, appointed by the FDRIO roster.
Step 5 — Application to a court of competent jurisdiction (last resort).
10.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FIRST-LINE)
The Parents shall use the following first-line method to resolve any disagreement arising under this Plan: Direct discussion within seven (7) days, followed by accredited family mediation through the Riverdale Mediation roster.
11.
REVIEW AND AMENDMENT
The Parents shall in good faith review this Plan annually, and on the occurrence of any of the following: (a) the Children's entry into a new school or developmental stage; (b) a material change in the Parents' work or residential circumstances; (c) the Children's evolving views and preferences (giving due weight to age and maturity); (d) any safety concern affecting the Children. Any amendment to this Plan must be in writing, signed by both Parents in the presence of an adult witness, and dated. The Parents acknowledge that no oral variation or course of conduct shall amend this Plan.
12.
GOVERNING LAW
This Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, including the Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3 (2nd Supp.).
13.
EXECUTION AND WITNESSING
Each Parent signs this Plan in the presence of Margaret Louise Ashworth of 76 Forest Hill Road, Toronto, ON M5P 2N5, who is not a Party to this Plan, as required by the provincial Family Law Act for the enforceability of a domestic contract. The Parents acknowledge that this Plan may be incorporated by reference into any divorce, custody or parenting order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date indicated.
PARENT 1
Caroline Anne Martel
Date: ____________________
PARENT 2
Jonathan Edward Park
Date: ____________________
WITNESS
Margaret Louise Ashworth
Date: ____________________
Available as a print-ready PDF or an editable Microsoft Word (.docx) file.
What Is a Parenting Plan?
A Parenting Plan is defined in the federal Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3 (2nd Supp.), section 2(1) as "a document or part of a document that contains the elements relating to parenting time, decision-making responsibility or contact to which the parties agree". It is the central instrument by which separated parents organise the post-separation upbringing of their children, and may stand as a freestanding contract under the provincial Family Law Act or be incorporated by reference into a divorce or parenting order.
The 2021 Divorce Act reforms (S.C. 2019, c. 16, in force 1 March 2021) replaced the older terminology of "custody" and "access" with "decision-making responsibility", "parenting time" and (for non-parents) "contact". Decision-making responsibility addresses the major decisions about the children's education, health care, religion or spiritual upbringing, and significant extracurricular activities. Parenting time addresses where the children physically reside on each day of the week, holiday and vacation. The reformed legislation also added the section 16(3)(j) and 16(4) family-violence factors to the best-interests-of-child analysis.
The AFCC Ontario Parenting Plan Guide and Template is widely treated as the leading-practice reference for parenting plans in Canada. The Guide is published by the Ontario chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and was most recently refreshed in 2026 by the AFCC Ontario Task Force on Parenting Plans. Our template structures the same content into a Doxuno-ready document with selectable parenting-time schedules, age-appropriate developmental recommendations, holiday rotation, transition and high-conflict protocols, mobility / relocation notice clauses, and a structured dispute-resolution staircase.
What's Covered in This Template
Our Parenting Plan template covers every element a Canadian family-law lawyer would expect.
Identification of Both Parents
Full legal names, addresses, phone, email and occupation for both Parents.
Children Covered
Number of Children plus per-Child full name, date of birth, school or grade.
Best-Interests Primacy
Recital of the section 16(1) paramountcy of the children's best interests, with all s.16(3) primary factors and s.16(4) family-violence factors integrated.
Decision-Making Allocation
Joint, sole (Parent 1 or Parent 2), divided / category-by-category, or parallel — with category-specific sub-clauses for education, health care, religion and extracurricular activities.
Parenting-Time Schedule
Six selectable schedules (50/50 week-on/week-off, 2-2-3, primary + alternating weekends, alternating weeks, primary + weekday visits, custom) with weekly schedule description and primary-residence designation.
Child Developmental Schedule (Expert)
Age-band recommendations (infant, toddler, preschool, school-age, adolescent) integrated with the AFCC Ontario developmental literature, plus special-needs considerations.
Holiday & Vacation Rotation (Expert)
Statutory, religious and personal holiday allocation; summer vacation weeks-per-Parent with selection rule; spring break and winter holiday rotation.
Transitions + High-Conflict Protocols (Expert)
Transition location, handover protocol, high-conflict provisions, and optional parallel-parenting model for high-conflict cases.
Mobility / Relocation Notice (Expert)
Divorce Act section 16.9 statutory notice (60 days default) + section 16.93 burden-of-proof framework + Barendregt v Grebliunas 2022 SCC 22 mobility analysis.
Dispute Resolution Staircase (Expert)
Step-by-step staircase: direct discussion → written exchange → mediation → arbitration → court (last resort) — prevents costly straight-to-court applications.
How to Create Your Parenting Plan
Follow these steps to prepare a Plan that is enforceable, age-appropriate and durable through the children's evolving developmental stages.
- 1
Map the Children's Developmental Stage
Parenting time schedules should be calibrated to the children's ages — infants need frequent short contact with both Parents, school-age children can manage week-on/week-off, adolescents need flexibility around social and academic commitments. The Expert tier records the developmental focus.
- 2
Allocate Decision-Making Responsibility
Choose joint (most common where Parents communicate well), sole (where one Parent has primary care and capacity), divided / category-by-category (specific decisions to specific Parents), or parallel (high-conflict cases — each Parent decides during their own time).
- 3
Pick a Weekly Parenting-Time Schedule
The most common are 50/50 week-on/week-off and the 2-2-3 rotation; alternating weekends is the historical pattern for primary-residence arrangements. Describe the weekly schedule in detail.
- 4
Add Holiday + Vacation Rotation (Expert)
Holidays generate ~80% of post-Plan disputes. Pre-define statutory and religious holiday alternation (odd/even years), summer vacation weeks per Parent with selection rule, and Mother's/Father's Day defaults.
- 5
Build the Transition Protocol (Expert)
Choose a neutral transition location, define handover items (backpacks, homework, sports equipment, medications), and require text confirmation of safe arrival.
- 6
Add Mobility / Relocation Clause (Expert)
A Parent who intends to relocate must give the other Parent at least 60 days statutory notice under Divorce Act section 16.9 — without this clause, the receiving Parent has no contractual time window to object.
- 7
Define the Dispute-Resolution Staircase (Expert)
Build a step-by-step path: direct discussion → written exchange → mediation → arbitration → court. Prevents either Parent from running to court without engaging cheaper, faster steps first.
Why Doxuno documents are different
Four things that make our templates more thorough than AI-generated drafts and more current than static template libraries.
Always current
Always current with the law
Templates carrying statute references are continuously updated as the law changes. Your document always reflects the current legal framework.
Free PDF
Print-ready PDF
Free to download. Vector text, embedded fonts, statute citations baked in. Print, sign, file. Ready for any signing flow including electronic signature.
Word · .docx
Editable Word (.docx)
Continue editing in Word after download. Add custom clauses, reuse the template for similar agreements, or share with a colleague for collaborative review.
Requires Expert one-time unlock or any paid Doxuno subscription.
Legal Considerations
Parenting plans are governed by an overlay of federal and provincial statutes and the leading Supreme Court of Canada decisions on the best-interests-of-child test.
This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Parenting plans carry long-term consequences for the children and the parents — particularly where there is a history of family violence, where mobility or relocation is in issue, or where the children have special needs. Consult a qualified Canadian family-law lawyer in your province for advice specific to your situation. The AFCC Ontario Parenting Plan Guide and Template referenced in this document is freely available and is not law.
Reviewed for Canadian federal and common-law-province requirements
Federal Divorce Act 2021 Reforms
The Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3 (2nd Supp.), as amended by S.C. 2019, c. 16 (in force 1 March 2021), introduced the modern terminology of "decision-making responsibility" (replacing "custody"), "parenting time" (replacing "access"), and "contact" (for non-parents). Section 2(1) defines "parenting plan" as a document containing the elements relating to parenting time, decision-making responsibility or contact agreed by the parties. Section 16.1 governs parenting orders, section 16.6 governs parenting plans, sections 16.9 and 16.93 govern relocation.
Best Interests of the Child — Section 16
Section 16(1) of the Divorce Act establishes that the best interests of the child are the ONLY consideration in any decision affecting the child. Section 16(2) gives primary consideration to the child's physical, emotional and psychological safety, security and well-being. Section 16(3) lists the primary factors: the child's relationships, each parent's willingness to support the relationship with the other parent, the history of care, the child's views and preferences, cultural and linguistic heritage, ability and willingness of each parent to care for the child, ability of the parents to communicate and cooperate, and any history of family violence.
Family Violence Factors — Sections 16(3)(j) and 16(4)
The 2021 reforms added the family-violence factors to the best-interests analysis. Section 16(4) requires the court to consider the nature, seriousness and frequency of any family violence, whether there is a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour, whether the children are directly or indirectly exposed to the violence, the safety risk to the children and the targeted parent, and any steps taken by the responsible parent to prevent further violence. The Supreme Court of Canada in Barendregt v Grebliunas, 2022 SCC 22 confirmed that family violence is a critical consideration and that the proposition that family violence has no impact on parenting ability is untenable.
Provincial Best-Interests Frameworks
Each common-law province has aligned its own provincial best-interests legislation with the federal Divorce Act framework. Ontario's Children's Law Reform Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12, was amended by the Moving Ontario Family Law Forward Act, 2020, S.O. 2020, c. 25 (in force March 2021). British Columbia's Family Law Act, S.B.C. 2011, c. 25, Part 4 sets out the BC best-interests test in section 37 and family-violence factors in section 38. Alberta's Family Law Act, S.A. 2003, c. F-4.5, Part 3 Division 1 sets out the Alberta best-interests test in section 18.
AFCC Ontario Parenting Plan Guide and Template
The AFCC Ontario Parenting Plan Guide and Template, published by the Ontario chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, is the most widely cited leading-practice reference for parenting plans in Canada. The Guide explains common parenting schedules, provides developmentally-informed recommendations for children of different ages, offers examples of holiday and vacation arrangements, and includes guidance on decision-making responsibility, communication tools, and conflict management. Although not law, the Guide is routinely cited by Ontario family-court judges and adopted as a starting framework.
Mobility and Relocation
Sections 16.9 and 16.93 of the Divorce Act govern relocation. A Parent who intends to relocate (or to relocate with a child) must give the other Parent at least 60 days' written notice in the form prescribed by Schedule VI to the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings Regulations. If the other Parent objects within 30 days, the move requires a court order. The burden of proof is allocated by section 16.93 and the leading Supreme Court of Canada framework in Barendregt v Grebliunas, 2022 SCC 22.
Quebec — Excluded From This Template
Quebec is governed by the civil-law regime under the Civil Code of Québec and uses a separate parental-authority framework. A Quebec-specific template will follow in a future sprint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Create Your Parenting Plan Now
Build a Divorce Act 2021-aligned, AFCC Ontario-compliant Parenting Plan in minutes. The Free version produces a working plan (decision-making allocation, parenting-time schedule, communication and dispute-resolution provisions). Upgrade to Expert to add the age-appropriate child developmental schedule, holiday and vacation rotation, transition and high-conflict protocols, mobility / relocation notice clause and dispute-resolution staircase that materially strengthen the Plan against future variation applications.
Free PDF · Editable Word with Expert · No account required