Highlights

View the most recent version.

Archived Content

Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please "contact us" to request a format other than those available.

Archived

This page has been archived on the Web.

[Full article in HTML] [Full article in PDF]

• In 2011, approximately 5 million Canadians had separated or divorced within the last 20 years. Of these, about one-quarter (24%) currently had at least one child aged 18 years or younger together.
• Most often, the mother’s home was the child’s primary residence after a separation or divorce, reported by 70% of separated or divorced parents. Another 15% indicated that the child mainly lived with the father, while 9% reported equal living time between the two parents’ homes.
• The majority of parents whose child lived primarily with their ex-partner spent either no time or less than three months in the last year with their child: 18% had no contact with their child and 44% spent some time but less than 3 months.
• Just over one-third (35%) of parents indicated that major decisions on the health, religion and education of their child were made either jointly or alternatively with their ex-partner.
• Parents often had written arrangements on child residency and time sharing, at 59% and 45%, respectively. In 2011, parents were equally as likely to work with lawyers to draft the written arrangement, as they were to go to court for a judge-ordered arrangement.
• Over half (53%) of parents reported fully following the arrangements on time sharing, while another one-quarter (25%) followed them most of the time. The top reason for non-compliance cited was the ex-partner cancelling his or her own time with the child.
• About three-quarters (74%) of separated or divorced parents were satisfied with the time spent with their child. Levels of satisfaction varied based on the actual time spent with the child and the primary residence of the child.
• In 2011, 21% of separated or divorced parents were paying some form of financial support for their children, while 26% were receiving child support. Payment amounts ranged from under $1,000 to over $10,000 a year. Most commonly, child support payments ranged from $3,000 to $4,999 annually, and were paid on a monthly basis. 
• Over half (55%) of all written arrangements on child support were registered with a maintenance enforcement program. Registration increased with the level of legal involvement, with 76% of judge-ordered arrangements being registered with a program.