RANKIN & RANKIN

This matter concerned final parenting orders sought by the wife against the husband regarding their three children. The court was required to determine the future parental responsibility, living arrangements, and time spent by the children with each parent, as well as address issues of communication, counselling, and parental conduct.

The court considered the best interests of the children in making its determination. It applied principles relating to parental responsibility, the presumption of equal shared parental responsibility, and the specific circumstances of the family. The court also addressed the need for counselling to facilitate positive co-parenting and prevent denigration of either parent.

Ultimately, the court ordered that the wife have sole parental responsibility for the children, with the exception of name changes where they shared equal responsibility. The children were ordered to live with the wife, and specific arrangements were made for the children to spend time and communicate with the husband, including supervised counselling sessions. Injunctions were granted to prevent denigration of either parent and to restrict the discussion of court proceedings with the children. The court also made orders regarding passports and international travel.