If you’re navigating separation or divorce, one of the most common questions we hear is: How does child support work? In Ontario, the answer lies in the Federal Child Support Guidelines, which provide a clear and consistent way to calculate child support across Canada.
What Are the Child Support Guidelines?
The Child Support Guidelines are a federal regulation that includes a table for each province and territory. These tables are used to determine how much child support should be paid from one parent to the other.
The tables use a simple formula based on the number of children, and the annual gross income (before taxes) of the support payor.
Once you know those two details, you can find the monthly amount in the Child Support Guidelines Ontario table.
Need help calculating or applying for child support? Reena helps families with Child Custody and ensures a fair and collaborative process. Book a free consultation.
How Does Child Support Work in Ontario?
Generally, if a child lives primarily with one parent, the other parent becomes the support payor and pays the full table amount. This is the base amount intended to cover basic living expenses like food, clothing, and shelter.
In shared custody situations (where the child lives with each parent at least 40% of the time), child support is calculated for both parents using the Ontario table. The higher amount is reduced by the lower amount. The difference is paid by the higher-income parent to the other parent. This is known as the set-off method.
What Does the Table Amount Cover?
The table amount is meant to cover a child’s basic needs, including:
- Food and groceries
- Clothing and shoes
- Housing-related costs (a portion of rent, utilities, etc.)
But child support doesn’t end there. There’s a second category called special or extraordinary expenses (also referred to as “section 7 expenses”), which are calculated separately. These may include:
- Childcare or daycare fees
- Medical and dental expenses not covered by insurance
- Tuition or private school
- Extracurricular activities or specialized programs
These special expenses are typically shared between parents in proportion to their incomes, regardless of which parent the child primarily lives with.
Which Table Do I Use If We Live in Different Provinces?
If both parents live in Canada but in different provinces, the table from the province of the support payor is used.
For example, if one parent lives in Ontario and the other in British Columbia, and the Ontario parent is paying support, then the Ontario Child Support Guidelines table applies.
Can the Court Order a Different Amount Than the Table?
Yes. While courts typically follow the guideline amounts, they do have discretion to order a different amount in exceptional circumstances. For example, if the paying parent is experiencing undue financial hardship or if the standard table amount would be unfair in the specific context of the case.