The Divorce Act Changes Explained

Contact Orders

Terms and conditions
(Section 16.5(6), Divorce Act)

New section

Terms and conditions

(6) The court may make a contact order for a definite or indefinite period or until a specified event occurs, and may impose any terms, conditions and restrictions that it considers appropriate.
Old section

Terms and conditions

(6) The court may make an order under this section for a definite or indefinite period or until the happening of a specified event and may impose such other terms, conditions or restrictions in connection therewith as it thinks fit and just.

What is the change

The court can include in a contact order a variety of conditions and restrictions, and can make the order for a definite or indefinite period.

Reason for the change

Including conditions and restrictions can help to ensure that a contact order is in the best interests of the child. For example, if a child and grandparent have not seen each other for a long time, the contact order may require that initial visits occur in the home of a parent, and then subsequent visits could occur elsewhere.

When

March 1, 2021.