Supervised Parenting Time in Ontario: When Will a Court Order It?

Parenting time is an important part of maintaining a child's relationship with both parents. However, in certain circumstances, a court may order that parenting time be supervised. Because this is a significant restriction on a parent's relationship with their child, Ontario courts do not grant supervised parenting time lightly.

When Will a Court Order Supervised Parenting Time?

The parent requesting supervised parenting time bears the burden of proving that supervision is necessary. It is not enough to simply raise concerns about the other parent. The court must be satisfied that supervision is required to protect the child's best interests.

What Do Courts Consider?

Ontario courts have recognized several important principles:

1. Supervised parenting time is a significant intrusion into the parent child relationship and must be justified.

2. It is intended to be a temporary measure, not a long term parenting arrangement.

3. The greater the restriction on a parent's time with their child, the stronger the evidence required to justify it.

4. Supervision may be appropriate where a child requires a gradual reintroduction to a parent or where there are genuine concerns about the child's physical or emotional safety.

Is Supervised Parenting Time Permanent?

Generally, no. Courts recognize that supervised parenting time creates an artificial environment that does not reflect normal parenting. As a result, it is typically viewed as a short term solution while concerns are addressed or until it is safe to transition to unsupervised parenting time.

Key Takeaway

Supervised parenting time is an exceptional remedy, not the starting point. The court will only order it where there is clear evidence that supervision is necessary to protect the child's best interests. In most cases, the goal is to move toward safe and meaningful parenting time without supervision whenever appropriate.