Can one parent raise our child in a different religion without the other parent's agreement?
Religious upbringing is explicitly recognized as a major decision under Canadian family law. If parents share joint decision-making responsibility, neither parent can unilaterally impose a new religion, baptize the child, enroll them in religious education, or make major religious commitments without the other's agreement.
If one parent has sole decision-making, they have broad authority over religious upbringing, but courts have occasionally placed limits where a particular religious practice poses a documented risk to the child's wellbeing.
Disputes about religion often arise when parents come from different faith backgrounds and one parent's involvement with the other faith increases after separation. Courts navigating these disputes focus on the child's existing religious identity, their community ties, the consistency of their religious upbringing to date, and whether exposure to both traditions is in their best interests.
Ontario courts generally avoid telling parents what religion to practise — but they will act when one parent's religious activities are interfering with the child's stability, relationship with the other parent, or other court orders.
Key takeaways
- Religion is a major decision requiring joint agreement under joint decision-making.
- Neither parent can unilaterally change a child's religious upbringing without consent.
- Courts focus on the child's existing religious identity and stability.
- Courts intervene when religious activities harm a child's wellbeing or other court orders.