Bill S-216

SUMMARY

This enactment amends the Divorce Act to provide for parenting plans that set out the responsibilities and authority of each spouse with respect to the care, development and upbringing of a child of the marriage. A parenting plan may be included in an application for a custody or access order brought by one or both spouses under the Act.

The new provisions also set out the fundamental principles of shared parenting that are to be included in a parenting plan, although the court may approve a plan that does not include all the listed principles if satisfied that doing so is in the best interests of the child.

The enactment also requires a court to satisfy itself that reasonable arrangements have been made for the parenting of any children of a marriage before granting a divorce under the Act.