July 30, 2026 – Terminating Parenting Time

“An order that terminates parenting time or requires long-term supervision is rare because it is an extreme remedy. In some cases, such orders are necessary to protect the child.

In Jennings v. Garrett (2004), 2004 CanLII 17126 (ON SC), 5 R.F.L. (6th) 319 (Ont. S.C.), Justice Blishen provided a list of the factors that have led courts to terminate access. Most of these factors are also relevant to the question of long-term supervision. At para. 135, the Court states:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Long term harassment and harmful behaviours towards the custodial parent causing that parent and the child stress and or fear. See M. (B.P.) v. M. (B.L.D.E.), supra; Stewart v. Bachan, [2003] O.J. No. 433 (Ont. C.J.); Studley v. O’Laughlin, [2000] N.S.J. No. 210 (N.S. Fam. Ct.); Dixon v. Hinsley, 2001 CanLII 38986 (ON CJ), [2001] O.J. No. 3707 (Ont. C.J.).
            2. History of violence; unpredictable, uncontrollable behaviour; alcohol, drug abuse which has been witnessed by the child and/or presents a risk to the child’s safety and well being. See Jafari v. Dadar, supra; Maxwell v. Maxwell, [1986] N.B.J. No. 769 (N.B. Q.B.); Abdo v. Abdo(1993), 1993 CanLII 3124 (NS CA), 126 N.S.R. (2d) 1 (N.S. C.A.); Studley v. O’Laughlin, supra.
            3. Extreme parental alienation which has resulted in changes of custody and, at times, no access orders to the former custodial parent. See Tremblay v. Tremblay(1987), 1987 CanLII 147 (AB KB), 10 R.F.L. (3d) 166 (Alta. Q.B.); Reeves v. Reeves, [2001] O.J. No. 308 (Ont. S.C.J.).
            4. Ongoing severe denigration of the other parent. See Frost v. Allen, [1995] M.J. No. 111 (Man. Q.B.); Gorgichuk v. Gorgichuk, supra.
            5. Lack of relationship or attachment between noncustodial parent and child. See Studley v. O’Laughlin, supra; M. (B.P.) v. M. (B.L.D.E.), supra.
            6. Neglect or abuse to a child on the access visits. See Maxwell v. Maxwell, supra.
            7. Older children’s wishes and preferences to terminate access. See Gorgichuk v. Gorgichuk, supra; Frost v. Allen, supra; Dixon v. Hinsley, supra; Pavao v. Pavao, [2000] O.J. No. 1010 (Ont. C.J.).

[Emphasis added.]”

            N.S. v. A.N.S., 2021 ONSC 5283 (CanLII) at 407-408