Does hiring a parenting coordinator require a court order, or can parents agree privately?

Parents generally do not need a court order to bring in a parenting coordinator; this is typically a private, consent-based arrangement the parents enter into by signing a parenting coordination agreement, similar in spirit to how they might privately agree to use a mediator. Many families set this up entirely by mutual agreement, often on their lawyers' recommendation, without ever needing a judge to direct it.

That said, a parenting coordination arrangement can also come about in connection with a court proceeding, for example where it's discussed as part of resolving a broader parenting dispute, or where the parties' separation agreement or court order references using a coordinator for future disputes. Either path is available in Ontario, and which one applies to your situation depends on how your overall parenting arrangement was reached and what, if anything, an existing order or agreement already says about it. If you're considering a parenting coordinator, discussing with a family lawyer whether to set it up privately or address it within an existing or upcoming court process is a useful starting point.