Can a religious council's ruling on parenting or property be binding in Ontario family law?

On its own, a religious council's ruling is not binding as a matter of Ontario family law. For a decision about parenting or property to count as an enforceable family arbitration award, it generally has to be made in accordance with the law of Ontario or another Canadian jurisdiction, following the specific formalities that apply to family arbitration, such as a written agreement and independent legal advice for both parties. A ruling based purely on religious principles, without that framework, doesn't carry the same legal force.

This doesn't prevent people from seeking a religious council's guidance, or from voluntarily agreeing to follow its ruling as a matter of personal conviction. It does mean that if a couple wants an outcome that's actually enforceable through the family court system, whatever process they use needs to satisfy Ontario's legal requirements for family arbitration, or the outcome needs to be captured in a separately valid domestic contract or court order. Couples interested in incorporating religious guidance into their arrangement should get legal advice on how to do that while still ensuring enforceability where it matters.