February 6, 2026 – Spousal Support: Non-Compensatory Principles

“The Ontario Court of Appeal discussed entitlement to spousal support based on non-compensatory grounds where the claimant had health issues in paragraphs 27 and 28 of Gray v. Gray, 2014 ONCA 659 as follows:

[27]      One of the objectives of the Divorce Act is to relieve economic hardship.  Need is not measured solely to ensure a subsistence existence, but rather should be assessed through the lens of viewing marriage as an economic partnership.  As stated by this court in Marinangeli v. Marinangeli (2003), 2003 CanLII 27673 (ON CA), 66 O.R. (3d) 40 at para. 74, in determining need, courts ought to be guided in part by the principle that the spouse receiving support is entitled to maintain the standard of living to which she was accustomed at the time cohabitation ceased. The analysis must consider the recipient’s ability to support herself, in light of her income and reasonable expenses.

[28]      In the case before us, Ms. Gray’s health prevents her from working.  This is relevant to the assessment of her needs.  As stated by the Supreme Court in Bracklow v. Bracklow, 1999 CanLII 715 (SCC), [1999] 1 S.C.R. 420, “in some circumstances the law may require that a healthy party continue to support a disabled party, absent contractual or compensatory entitlement. Justice and consideration of fairness may demand no less.” (at para. 48).”

          S.N.S. v. K.N.S., 2023 ONCJ 55 (CanLII) at 45

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