This afternoon, Nova Scotia’s chief public health officer, Dr. Strang, advised that children moving between homes in co-parenting situations may increase the child and family’s exposure to COVID-19. Dr. Strang recommended that children should remain in one home during this pandemic.

Dr. Strang advised that parents should speak to their lawyers about legal obligations relating to parenting arrangements. This has resulted in much confusion for parents who have court orders or agreements relating to co-parenting. You should seek legal counsel prior to altering any current parenting order or agreement.

Ontario courts have already started hearing emergency cases relating to parenting arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similar to Ontario, Nova Scotia is only hearing family law matters if it is an emergency. Whether or not your situation is an “emergency” is fact specific.

A recent decision from Ontario sheds light on how the court is dealing with parenting arrangements during this pandemic.

In Ribeiro v. Wright, 2020 ONSC 1829 (“Ribeiro”), the court held that courts will deal with COVID-19 parenting issues on a case-by-case basis, specifically:

“If a parent has a concern that COVID-19 creates an urgent issue in relation to a parenting arrangement, they may initiate an emergency motion – but they should not presume that the existence of the COVID-19 crisis will automatically result in a suspension of in-person parenting time. They should not even presume that raising COVID-19 considerations will necessarily result in an urgent hearing.”1

The court in Ribeiro held that the presumption is that the existing parenting arrangement should continue.2 Specifically, the court held, “There is a presumption that all orders should be respected and complied with. More to the point, there is a presumption that the existing order reflects a determination that meaningful personal contact with both parents is in the best interests of the child.”3 The court went on to say the following:

A further blog post dealing with other recent decisions from Ontario relating to parenting arrangements and COVID-19 will be published shortly.

*This case is from Ontario. Therefore, it is not binding on Nova Scotian courts, but is likely persuasive; meaning these same logic and principles will likely apply in Nova Scotia.

If your co-parent is disregarding government policies on COVID-19, or to discuss your unique parenting arrangement amidst COVID-19, please call (902) 469-9500 to schedule your consultation with a member of our Family Law team. Appointments can be via phone or virtual meeting platform (Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, etc.).

This is legal information and is not intended to be legal advice.


1 Ribeiro v Wright, 2020 ONSC 1829 at para 20-21.

2 Ribeiro v Wright, 2020 ONSC 1829 at para 11.

3 Ribeiro v Wright, 2020 ONSC 1829 at para 7.

4 Ribeiro v Wright, 2020 ONSC 1829 at para 10.

5 Ribeiro v Wright, 2020 ONSC 1829 at para 11.