Is training in family violence screening mandatory for parenting coordinators in Ontario?

Unlike family arbitrators, who are subject to specific, legislated training requirements including family violence and power-imbalance screening, parenting coordination in Ontario is not created or regulated by a dedicated statute, so there isn't the same kind of mandated training requirement built into law for coordinators specifically. This doesn't mean training in this area is unavailable or unimportant; many experienced parenting coordinators, drawing on professional standards from their underlying field, whether mental health or family law, do pursue specific training in recognizing family violence and power imbalances, since these issues are just as relevant to their work as they are to an arbitrator's.

Because this isn't uniformly required, it becomes especially important for parents choosing a coordinator, particularly where family violence is a genuine concern, to ask directly about a candidate's specific training and approach to screening rather than assuming it's automatically covered. A family lawyer can help identify coordinators known for this kind of training and can help make sure any concerns about family violence are raised clearly before the arrangement begins.