Who Pays for Extracurricular Activities in British Columbia? 2026 Guide to Section 7 Expenses

In British Columbia, both parents share the cost of extracurricular activities proportionally based on their respective incomes under Section 7 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines (SOR/97-175). If Parent A earns $100,000 and Parent B earns $50,000, Parent A pays two-thirds (67%) of qualifying Section 7 expenses while Parent B pays one-third (33%). However, not all extracurricular activities qualify for cost-sharing—activities must meet the "extraordinary" threshold, meaning they exceed what the receiving parent can reasonably cover from the table amount of child support. A $200 house-league fee typically does not qualify, but $8,000 in competitive hockey fees with travel and specialized coaching likely would.

Key Facts: Extracurricular Activities and Child Support in BC

As of April 2026. Verify current fees with your local court registry.

What Are Section 7 Expenses in British Columbia?

Section 7 expenses are special or extraordinary costs that parents share in addition to the basic table amount of child support, and British Columbia courts require that these expenses be necessary for the child's best interests, reasonable given the parents' means, and consistent with pre-separation family spending patterns. Under Section 7 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines, extracurricular activities qualify as Section 7 expenses only when they meet the "extraordinary" threshold—typically activities costing $3,000 to $15,000 or more annually, such as competitive hockey, elite dance programs, or specialized music training.

The six categories of Section 7 expenses under the Federal Child Support Guidelines include:

• Childcare expenses incurred due to employment, illness, disability, or educational requirements
• The portion of medical and dental insurance premiums providing coverage for the child
• Health-care needs exceeding $100 per year not covered by insurance (orthodontics, counselling, medication, eyeglasses)
• Extraordinary expenses for primary or secondary education meeting the child's particular needs
• Expenses for post-secondary education
• Extraordinary expenses for extracurricular activities

The distinction between "ordinary" and "extraordinary" extracurricular expenses is critical in British Columbia family law. Recreational sports and other similar extracurricular activities where participation does not exceed that of the "average child" are generally covered by the basic table amount and do not qualify as Section 7 expenses. Courts examine whether the expense exceeds what the receiving parent can reasonably cover, taking into account their income and the child support they receive.

How British Columbia Courts Determine if an Activity Qualifies

British Columbia courts apply a three-part test to determine whether extracurricular activities qualify as Section 7 extraordinary expenses: the activity must be necessary for the child's best interests, reasonable in relation to the parents' means, and consistent with the family's spending patterns before separation. In the 2024 Ontario case Ginese v. Fadel (2024 ONSC 3011), which applies the same Federal Child Support Guidelines used in BC, the court capped a father's annual contribution to children's hockey and extracurricular activities at $3,000 ($250 monthly) based on his $94,957 income and $120,000 net worth.

Courts consider these factors when evaluating extracurricular expense claims:

• The nature and number of educational programs and extracurricular activities
• Any special needs and talents of the child
• The overall cost of the programs and activities
• Whether the non-custodial parent was consulted before the expense was incurred
• The family's pre-separation spending patterns on similar activities
• Both parents' current financial circumstances

The consultation requirement is particularly important in British Columbia. When parents share decision-making responsibility regarding their children, courts expect them to discuss and agree upon Section 7 expenses before incurring them. In Ginese v. Fadel, the mother enrolled one child in a dance program that increased from $2,693 in 2021 to $14,444 in 2023 without consulting the father—the court found these increased costs were neither necessary nor reasonable and denied the full claim.

How Parents Share Extracurricular Activity Costs in BC

British Columbia parents share Section 7 extracurricular expenses proportionally based on their respective incomes after deducting any contribution from the child, and the court must consider subsidies, benefits, or income tax deductions relating to the expense. If one parent earns $80,000 annually and the other earns $40,000, the higher-earning parent pays 67% of qualifying Section 7 expenses while the lower-earning parent pays 33%. This proportional sharing applies to net costs after accounting for tax credits and subsidies.

Net costing calculation example:

The 2025 Federal Child Support Tables (effective October 1, 2025) set the minimum income threshold at $16,000 annually, up from $13,000 in the 2017 tables. Parents earning below $16,000 per year may have a basic table amount of zero, though Section 7 expense obligations could still apply based on their proportional income share.

What Activities Typically Qualify as Section 7 Expenses?

Competitive and elite-level activities with annual costs exceeding $3,000 to $5,000 typically qualify as Section 7 extraordinary expenses in British Columbia, while recreational house-league activities costing under $500 annually generally do not qualify. A $5,000 annual hockey fee may be extraordinary for a family with combined income of $80,000, but courts may find the same expense ordinary for a family earning $300,000 combined, especially if the child participated in competitive hockey before separation.

Activities that typically qualify as Section 7 expenses:

• AAA or competitive hockey programs ($5,000-$15,000+ annually)
• Elite dance, gymnastics, or figure skating ($3,000-$12,000+ annually)
• Specialized music training or conservatory lessons ($2,000-$8,000+ annually)
• Competitive swimming or tennis programs with travel ($3,000-$10,000+ annually)
• Private school tuition or tutoring for special needs ($5,000-$30,000+ annually)

Activities that typically do not qualify:

• House-league sports ($200-$500 annually)
• Community recreation programs ($100-$400 annually)
• Standard school supplies and field trips
• Basic musical instrument lessons ($50-$150 monthly)
• Birthday parties and social activities

British Columbia courts recognize that what constitutes "extraordinary" varies according to each family's circumstances. The key question is whether the expense exceeds what the receiving parent can reasonably cover from the table amount of child support, considering their income level and the number of children.

The Role of Pre-Separation Family Spending Patterns

British Columbia courts give significant weight to the family's pre-separation spending patterns when determining whether extracurricular activities qualify as Section 7 expenses, and activities the child participated in before the parents' separation are more likely to be considered necessary and reasonable. In Ginese v. Fadel, the court found that extracurricular activities ranging from $5,729 to $8,035 annually for four children (approximately $1,400 to $2,000 per child per year) during 2019-2021 were reasonable because they continued activities the children were already engaged in during the marriage.

Factors courts examine regarding pre-separation spending:

• Did the child participate in this activity before separation?
• What level of competition or commitment existed pre-separation?
• What were the typical annual costs before the parents separated?
• Did both parents support the child's participation in this activity?
• Has there been a significant cost increase since separation?

When one parent unilaterally increases extracurricular spending after separation without consulting the other parent, British Columbia courts may refuse to order full cost-sharing. The Ginese case illustrates this principle: dance program costs that increased from $2,693 to $14,444 annually without consultation were found unreasonable, and soccer costs that doubled were similarly rejected as unilateral increases.

What Happens When Parents Disagree About Extracurricular Activities?

When British Columbia parents with shared decision-making responsibility cannot agree on Section 7 extracurricular expenses, either parent may apply to the BC Supreme Court or Provincial Court for a determination, and the court will decide whether the expense qualifies as special or extraordinary and is shareable by the parents. The filing fee for a Notice of Family Claim in BC Supreme Court is $200 plus a $10 federal registration fee, totaling $210 as of April 2026.

Steps for resolving extracurricular expense disputes:

1. Attempt to discuss and reach agreement with the other parent
2. Consider family mediation (filing fee waived with Certificate of Mediation)
3. Attend a Family Justice Counsellor appointment (free service)
4. File a Notice of Family Claim or Application in Provincial Court
5. Provide evidence of the expense and why it qualifies under Section 7
6. Court determines if expense is necessary, reasonable, and extraordinary

The BC Provincial Court charges $0 for parenting applications, making it a more affordable option than Supreme Court for disputes solely about Section 7 expenses. However, if you are also seeking divorce, you must file in Supreme Court, as Provincial Court does not have jurisdiction to grant divorces.

How to Document Extracurricular Expenses for Court

British Columbia courts require detailed documentation of extracurricular expenses when determining Section 7 cost-sharing, including registration receipts, equipment invoices, travel costs, and proof of tax credits or subsidies received. Maintaining organized records strengthens your position whether you are seeking contribution from the other parent or defending against an unreasonable expense claim.

Essential documentation for Section 7 expense claims:

• Registration receipts showing program costs
• Equipment purchase receipts with dates
• Travel and accommodation receipts for tournaments
• Coach or instructor invoices for private lessons
• Tax returns showing child activity credits claimed
• Correspondence showing prior consultation with the other parent
• Historical records of the child's participation in the activity
• Evidence of the child's talent or special needs relating to the activity

When presenting evidence to BC courts, organize expenses by category and calculate net costs after deducting tax credits and subsidies. The court must consider any eligibility to claim a subsidy, benefit, or income tax deduction or credit relating to the expense under Section 7(3) of the Federal Child Support Guidelines.

Income Calculation for Section 7 Expense Sharing

British Columbia courts determine each parent's share of Section 7 extracurricular expenses based on their annual income as calculated under Schedule III of the Federal Child Support Guidelines, using the same income figure used to calculate the basic table amount of child support. The 2025 Federal Child Support Tables (current as of October 2025) apply to payments for periods after September 30, 2025.

Income sources typically included in the calculation:

• Employment income from all sources
• Self-employment income (gross minus reasonable business expenses)
• Investment income and capital gains
• Rental income
• Pension and retirement income
• Employment Insurance and other government benefits
• Trust income and dividends

For example, when a BC payor's income is $23,000, the 2025 table amount for 2 children is $348 monthly. If that parent's income represents 30% of the combined parental income, they would pay 30% of any qualifying Section 7 extraordinary expenses. Courts may impute income to a parent who is voluntarily underemployed or who fails to provide accurate financial disclosure.

The Child's Contribution to Extracurricular Expenses

British Columbia courts may require that the child's own contribution be deducted from Section 7 expenses before calculating each parent's proportional share, particularly for older children with part-time employment or for expenses relating to activities that generate income for the child. The Federal Child Support Guidelines specify that expenses are shared "after deducting from the expense, the contribution, if any, from the child."

Considerations regarding child contributions:

• Part-time employment income during high school years
• Scholarships or bursaries that offset activity costs
• Prize money or earnings from competitive activities
• Gifts from grandparents or relatives designated for the activity
• Proceeds from equipment resale or rental

In AAA hockey cases, for instance, courts have considered whether the child's own earnings from refereeing or coaching younger players should offset costs. One court noted that given the father's income and contributions from the mother and daughter, a $320 hockey stick expense was considered modest and within the child support being set off.

British Columbia Court Jurisdiction and Residency Requirements

To file for divorce and obtain orders regarding Section 7 extracurricular expenses in British Columbia, at least one spouse must have been habitually resident in the province for at least one year immediately before filing, as required by Section 3(1) of the Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3. Parenting arrangement and child support orders under the BC Family Law Act do not require this one-year residency for unmarried parents or married parents not seeking divorce.

Jurisdictional requirements in BC:

"Habitually resident" means your established home is in British Columbia—Canadian citizenship or permanent residency is not required. Only one spouse needs to satisfy the one-year requirement, so you can file in BC even if your spouse lives in another province or country.

How to Modify Section 7 Expense Orders

British Columbia courts may vary Section 7 extracurricular expense orders when there is a material change in circumstances, such as a significant change in either parent's income, a change in the child's activities, or the child aging out of certain programs. Either parent may apply to vary an existing order by filing a Notice of Motion or Application to Vary in the court that made the original order.

Common grounds for modifying Section 7 expense orders:

• Significant increase or decrease in either parent's income (generally 10%+ change)
• Child starting or stopping an extracurricular activity
• Activity costs increasing substantially (e.g., moving from recreational to competitive level)
• Child reaching an age where activity participation changes
• One parent relocating, affecting transportation costs for activities
• Change in tax credits or subsidies available for the activity

When seeking a variation, you must demonstrate that the change in circumstances is material and ongoing, not temporary. British Columbia courts will recalculate each parent's proportional share based on current incomes and reassess whether the expenses continue to meet the necessity, reasonableness, and extraordinary thresholds.

H2 Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between table amount child support and Section 7 expenses in BC?

The table amount is the basic monthly child support calculated from the Federal Child Support Guidelines tables based on the payor's income and number of children, covering ordinary living expenses like food, clothing, and standard activities. Section 7 expenses are additional costs for special or extraordinary items—including competitive extracurricular activities exceeding $3,000-$5,000 annually—that parents share proportionally by income on top of the table amount.

Do both parents have to agree before enrolling a child in an expensive activity?

Parents with shared decision-making responsibility should discuss and agree on extracurricular activities before enrolling the child, especially for activities costing over $2,000 annually. If one parent enrolls a child in an expensive program without consulting the other, courts may refuse to order full cost-sharing—in Ginese v. Fadel (2024), the court rejected claims for dance program costs that increased from $2,693 to $14,444 without prior consultation.

How do I prove an extracurricular activity qualifies as a Section 7 expense?

You must demonstrate that the activity is necessary for your child's best interests, reasonable given both parents' financial means, consistent with pre-separation family spending, and extraordinary in cost (typically exceeding $3,000-$5,000 annually). Provide registration receipts, historical participation records, evidence of the child's talent or commitment, and documentation showing the expense exceeds what you can reasonably cover from the table amount.

What if my child's activity costs change significantly from year to year?

British Columbia courts recognize that extracurricular costs may fluctuate, particularly as children advance to higher competitive levels. If costs increase by more than 25% or $1,000 annually, you should notify the other parent and seek agreement on the increased contribution. Either parent may apply to court to vary the Section 7 expense order when costs change materially.

Can a parent refuse to pay their share of Section 7 expenses?

Once a court orders Section 7 expense sharing, both parents must comply. If a parent fails to pay, the other parent may register the order with the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program (FMEP), which can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, suspend driver's licenses, and take other enforcement measures. FMEP enforcement applies to Section 7 expenses the same way it applies to basic child support.

Are travel costs for tournaments included in Section 7 expenses?

Travel costs for competitive tournaments may qualify as Section 7 expenses if they are part of an extraordinary extracurricular activity. Courts consider hotel accommodations, transportation, and meal costs for out-of-town competitions as part of the total activity expense. Document all travel costs separately and include them in your calculation of the net shareable expense.

What happens to Section 7 expenses when a child turns 19?

Child support obligations, including Section 7 expenses, generally end when a child turns 19 in British Columbia unless the child cannot withdraw from parental care due to illness, disability, or pursuit of full-time education. For adult children attending post-secondary education, Section 7 expenses may continue to include tuition, books, and reasonable extracurricular activities related to their education.

How are Section 7 expenses handled in shared parenting arrangements?

In shared parenting arrangements where each parent has the child at least 40% of the time, courts still calculate Section 7 expenses proportionally by income. The set-off approach used for basic child support does not typically apply to Section 7 expenses—each parent pays their proportional share of extraordinary extracurricular costs regardless of parenting time percentages.

Can I claim tax credits for extracurricular activities I pay?

The Canada Revenue Agency previously offered the Children's Fitness Tax Credit and Children's Arts Tax Credit (eliminated federally in 2017), but British Columbia does not currently offer provincial tax credits for children's extracurricular activities. When calculating net Section 7 expenses, any subsidies or benefits received must be deducted before determining each parent's share.

What if we cannot afford the extracurricular activities our child wants?

British Columbia courts require that Section 7 expenses be reasonable in relation to the parents' means—neither parent can be forced to contribute to activities beyond their financial capacity. If combined parental income cannot reasonably support elite-level activities, courts may order contribution only to the extent affordable, or may decline to order any Section 7 sharing if the activity is not financially feasible for the family.