A Canadian Temporary Custody Agreement is a short-term legal arrangement between parents that establishes who will have physical custody and day-to-day decision-making authority over their children for a defined period. Unlike a permanent custody agreement (now formally called a parenting arrangement under the 2021 Divorce Act amendments), a temporary custody agreement is designed to address specific, time-limited circumstances that necessitate a change in the usual living arrangements of the children.

The legal basis for temporary custody arrangements in Canada is found in both federal and provincial legislation. For married parents, the Divorce Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. 3 (2nd Supp.)) governs custody matters, including the ability of courts to make interim orders under s. 16. The 2021 amendments (S.C. 2019, c. 16, in force March 1, 2021) introduced the concepts of "decision-making responsibility" and "parenting time" to replace the older terminology of "custody" and "access." For unmarried parents, provincial legislation applies: in Ontario, the Children's Law Reform Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12); in British Columbia, the Family Law Act (S.B.C. 2011, c. 25); in Alberta, the Family Law Act (S.A. 2003, c. F-4.5).

A temporary custody agreement differs from a permanent agreement in several important ways. First, it has a defined start and end date, after which the arrangement automatically terminates and the previous custody arrangement resumes. Second, it grants limited authority to the temporary custodial parent, primarily restricted to day-to-day decisions while reserving major decisions for both parents. Third, it cannot permanently alter parental rights, guardianship status, or the children's primary residence without a separate agreement or court order.

The paramount legal principle underlying all temporary custody arrangements in Canada is the best interests of the child, as codified in Divorce Act s. 16(1). The 2021 amendments expanded the best-interests factors in s. 16(3) to include the child's views and preferences, each parent's willingness to support the child's relationship with the other parent, any history of family violence, and the child's physical, emotional, and psychological safety, security, and well-being. A temporary custody arrangement that does not serve the best interests of the child can be challenged and varied by a court at any time.

A Canadian Temporary Custody Agreement is needed in a variety of circumstances where parents must make short-term changes to their regular custody arrangements. The most common situations include medical emergencies or extended medical treatment where one parent is temporarily unable to care for the children, temporary work relocations or business travel that require one parent to be absent from the family home for weeks or months, military deployment under the National Defence Act where a parent serving in the Canadian Armed Forces is posted away from the children's usual residence, and family emergencies that require one parent to travel or attend to obligations elsewhere.

This agreement is essential during the interim period between separation and the finalization of a permanent custody order. When parents first separate, they often need a temporary arrangement to stabilize the children's living situation while they negotiate a comprehensive parenting plan or wait for a court hearing. Canadian family courts regularly issue interim custody orders, but parents who can agree on temporary arrangements without court intervention save significant time and legal costs while providing immediate clarity for their children.

Parents also need this agreement when one parent is experiencing temporary health challenges, including physical illness, mental health issues, or substance abuse recovery, that affect their ability to provide daily care. In such cases, the temporary custody agreement protects the children's welfare while preserving the recovering parent's long-term parental rights and ensuring that the arrangement can be reviewed and terminated when circumstances improve.

The agreement is particularly important when third parties are involved, such as grandparents or other relatives who may need to assume temporary care. In Canadian law, non-parents who wish to apply for custody must meet specific standing requirements under provincial legislation, and a temporary custody agreement signed by both parents can provide legal authority for the caregiver without requiring a court application.

This agreement should also be considered when one parent plans extended travel outside Canada, as border authorities including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) may require documentation of custody arrangements when a child is traveling with only one parent or with a non-parent caregiver.

A valid Canadian Temporary Custody Agreement must contain several essential elements to be legally effective and to protect the interests of both parents and children. The agreement must begin with the identification of both parents, including full legal names, current residential addresses with postal codes, and phone numbers. The child or children must be identified by full legal name and date of birth. The agreement should specify the parties involved, whether the arrangement is between two parents or involves a temporary guardian.

The reasons for the temporary custody arrangement must be clearly stated. Canadian courts examining the validity of temporary custody agreements will assess whether the arrangement serves the best interests of the child, and articulating the reasons provides context for the necessity of the arrangement. Common reasons include medical treatment, temporary work relocation, military deployment, family emergency, or pending resolution of a permanent custody dispute.

The grant of temporary custody must identify which parent receives physical custody and specify the rights and responsibilities granted. Under Canadian family law, the temporary custodial parent typically receives authority for day-to-day decision-making, including daily care and supervision, enrolment in school or daycare, consent to medical treatment including emergency care, access to medical records, and travel arrangements within Canada. The agreement should clearly state any additional rights granted.

Critically, the agreement must include limitations on the temporary custodial parent's authority. These limitations typically include prohibitions against permanently relocating with the children, consenting to adoption, making major life decisions without the other parent's written approval, and removing the children from Canada without proper consent and travel documentation. The agreement should expressly state that it does not transfer permanent legal custody or guardianship.

The term of the agreement must specify exact start and end dates, with provisions for early termination and extension. Contact provisions should detail how the non-custodial parent will maintain communication with the children, including telephone, video call, and in-person visit schedules. Child support provisions should reference the Federal Child Support Guidelines (SOR/97-175). The governing law clause should reference the applicable provincial legislation and the federal Divorce Act, and each parent should acknowledge having had the opportunity to obtain independent legal advice.