About this project
Built to close a gap that shouldn't exist
Millions of Canadian parents are raising children alone, often with no idea what their legal rights are or where to start. This is our attempt to change that.
Why this exists
In Canada, access to legal information is technically free — but it's scattered across dozens of provincial government websites, written in language that assumes you already know what you're looking for.
Single parents dealing with absent partners face an especially complex maze: different rules if you were married vs. not, different courts by province, different processes depending on whether the other parent is in Canada or abroad, known or unknown.
ParentRights Canada was built to translate that maze into plain language — and to point people toward the free help that already exists, but that most people never find.
What this is — and what it isn't
This is a public legal information tool. It explains what Canadian family law generally says, what processes commonly exist, and what options people in similar situations often consider.
It is not a law firm. It does not give legal advice. It does not tell you what to do in your specific situation — because we don't know your full situation, and even if we did, that would require a licensed lawyer.
Think of it like a well-researched starting point — the kind a knowledgeable friend might give you before you walk into a legal aid office.
Our principles
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Free, always
No subscriptions, no freemium, no ads. This tool exists to serve people who need it, not to monetise them.
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Private by design
No account needed. No personal data collected. Your answers stay in your browser and are never stored or shared.
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Legally careful
Every piece of content is written to meet Canadian public legal education standards — information, not advice.
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Non-commercial
No advertising, no referral fees, no commercial relationships with any law firms or legal services.
Frequently asked questions
Who built this? ▼
ParentRights Canada was built by a small team passionate about access to justice. We are not a law firm and we are not affiliated with any government body or legal services provider. We built this because we saw a gap and wanted to help close it.
Is the legal information accurate? ▼
We work hard to ensure the information reflects Canadian federal and provincial family law. However, laws change, vary by province, and are applied differently depending on individual circumstances. Always verify information with a licensed lawyer or legal aid clinic before making decisions.
Why don't you give legal advice? ▼
Giving legal advice requires a licensed lawyer who understands your full situation, can ask follow-up questions, and is accountable to a law society. We are none of those things. What we can do — and what we do — is explain what the law generally says and help you understand your options. That's legal information, and it's genuinely useful as a starting point.
My situation isn't covered. What should I do? ▼
This tool covers the most common situations facing single parents with absent partners in Canada. For less common situations, we recommend contacting your provincial legal aid office, a duty counsel at your local family courthouse, or CLEO's Steps to Justice (stepstojustice.ca) — all free.
Can I share this with someone who needs it? ▼
Please do. This tool exists for people who need it. Share it freely.
Is this available in French? ▼
Not yet. A French version is something we'd like to add in the future. In the meantime, French-speaking parents in Quebec can find excellent resources through Aide juridique Québec (csaj.qc.ca) and the federal Justice Canada website (justice.gc.ca), both available in French.