What does 'parenting time' mean under Ontario family law?
"Parenting time" is the term used in the federal Divorce Act to describe the time a child spends with each parent after separation. It replaced the older language of "access" and "custody" for married couples. For unmarried parents, Ontario's Children's Law Reform Act uses similar concepts but may still reference "decision-making responsibility" alongside time arrangements.
During a parent's parenting time, that parent is responsible for day-to-day decisions about the child's care — things like bedtime routines, meals, and local activities. Bigger decisions (schooling, medical care, religion) are governed separately under "decision-making responsibility."
Courts in Ontario focus on what arrangement serves the child's best interests, not on equal time for parents. There is no automatic presumption of 50/50 time. The schedule that works for one family may not work for another, and parenting plans should reflect the child's age, routine, and relationships.
Key takeaways
- "Parenting time" replaced "access" under the Divorce Act for married parents.
- Day-to-day care decisions belong to whichever parent has the child at that moment.
- Courts decide based on the child's best interests, not equal time automatically.
- Unmarried parents are governed by Ontario's Children's Law Reform Act.