How Does a Parenting Time Schedule Work for Holidays and School Breaks in Ontario?

Holiday and school-break schedules are set case by case, and no statute or official page sets a standard formula for Christmas, March break, summer or birthdays, so common splits are options rather than entitlements. The court must give effect to the principle that a child should have as much time with each parent as is consistent with the child's best interests, and the Divorce Act sets no presumption of a particular schedule.

Justice Canada's Parenting Plan Checklist asks whether holidays will alternate between households, and who will care for the children during school breaks and statutory, civic and religious holidays. It also says plans should be flexible enough to be realistic and allow for unforeseen events such as illness, and asks you to consider how the plan may change as children grow.

A court can include tailored terms in a parenting order. Unless the court orders otherwise, the parent with parenting time makes day-to-day decisions during it. How a holiday overrides the regular schedule depends on the wording of your plan or order, so write it clearly. A court order can only be changed by a new court decision, while an agreement can be updated if you both agree.