How does parenting time work when parents live far apart in Ontario?

Long-distance parenting arrangements require a different structure than local ones because frequent short exchanges are not practical. Courts and parents in these situations typically design schedules around extended blocks of time — school holidays, spring break, and summer vacations — with less frequent but longer visits rather than alternating weeks.

The child's age matters significantly. Young children generally cope better with longer stays and regular contact by video call in between; older children may be able to manage less frequent but extended visits. Courts consider the travel burden on the child, who bears travel costs, and whether the parenting plan is genuinely workable over time.

Virtual parenting time — video calls, scheduled phone calls — is commonly included in long-distance parenting plans and is increasingly recognized as a meaningful supplement to in-person time. However, courts are clear that virtual time is not a substitute for in-person parenting; it is an addition to it.

Travel costs are not automatically assigned to one parent. They can be shared, covered entirely by the relocating parent, or addressed in child support calculations. If the distance arose because one parent relocated, courts sometimes place travel costs on the relocating parent.