Saskatchewan parents must address holiday parenting time within their parenting orders or separation agreements, with the Court of King's Bench requiring that all arrangements serve the best interests of the child under Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3, s. 16. Filing a contested parenting application costs approximately $300, plus $95 for the Application for Judgment. Most Saskatchewan families use alternating-year schedules for the province's 10 statutory holidays, splitting Christmas Eve and Christmas Day between households or rotating the entire winter break annually. Under the 2021 amendments to the Divorce Act, courts must give primary consideration to a child's physical, emotional, and psychological safety when determining holiday parenting time allocations.
Key Facts: Saskatchewan Holiday Parenting Time
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee (Contested) | $300 petition + $95 judgment application |
| Filing Fee (Uncontested) | Approximately $200 |
| Residency Requirement | 1 year habitual residence in Saskatchewan |
| Mandatory Course | Parenting After Separation (PAS), 3-4 hours online |
| Governing Laws | Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3 (married); Children's Law Act, 2020, S.S. 2020, c. 2 (unmarried) |
| Statutory Holidays | 10 per year (Family Day, Saskatchewan Day unique to province) |
| Dispute Resolution | Mandatory early dispute resolution before court |
Understanding Holiday Parenting Time in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan holiday parenting time schedules determine which parent has the children during the province's 10 statutory holidays, school breaks, and summer vacation periods. Under section 16(1) of the Divorce Act, courts consider only the best interests of the child when making parenting orders, with primary consideration given to the child's physical, emotional, and psychological safety under section 16(2). Holiday schedules typically override the regular weekly parenting time arrangement, providing specific dates, exchange times, and locations for each holiday period.
The 2021 amendments to the Divorce Act replaced "custody" and "access" with "decision-making responsibility" and "parenting time," reflecting a more child-centered approach to family law. Saskatchewan courts apply section 16(6) of the Divorce Act, which provides that children should have as much time with each parent as is consistent with their best interests. However, the Supreme Court of Canada clarified in Barendregt v. Grebliunas, 2022 SCC 22 that this principle does not create a presumption of equal parenting time; rather, each case depends on the specific circumstances of the child.
For unmarried parents or married parents not seeking divorce, The Children's Law Act, 2020, S.S. 2020, c. 2 governs parenting arrangements in Saskatchewan. This provincial legislation mirrors the federal Divorce Act's best interests factors and applies the same terminology regarding parenting time and decision-making responsibility.
Saskatchewan's 10 Statutory Holidays for Parenting Schedules
Saskatchewan recognizes 10 statutory holidays that parents must address in their parenting time schedules. Family Day (third Monday in February) and Saskatchewan Day (first Monday in August) are unique provincial holidays not observed in all Canadian jurisdictions. The complete 2026 holiday calendar provides the foundation for creating alternating-year schedules, with each holiday requiring specific provisions for exchange times and locations.
| 2026 Holiday | Date | Common Scheduling Approach |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 (Thursday) | Alternate yearly; often paired with Christmas |
| Family Day | February 16 (Monday) | Alternate yearly; 3-day weekend |
| Good Friday | April 3 (Friday) | Alternate with Easter Monday; 4-day weekend |
| Victoria Day | May 18 (Monday) | Alternate yearly; 3-day weekend |
| Canada Day | July 1 (Wednesday) | Alternate yearly; mid-week exchange |
| Saskatchewan Day | August 3 (Monday) | Alternate yearly; summer break consideration |
| Labour Day | September 7 (Monday) | Alternate yearly; back-to-school transition |
| Thanksgiving | October 12 (Monday) | Alternate yearly; 3-day weekend |
| Remembrance Day | November 11 (Wednesday) | Alternate yearly; mid-week exchange |
| Christmas Day | December 25 (Friday) | Split or alternate; most complex scheduling |
Note: When New Year's Day, Christmas Day, or Remembrance Day falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed as the statutory holiday. Parents should specify in their agreements whether the "holiday" refers to the actual date or the observed date.
Four Common Holiday Parenting Time Models
Saskatchewan families typically choose from four primary approaches to holiday parenting time scheduling. The alternating-year model assigns each parent specific holidays in odd years, then reverses the assignment in even years, ensuring neither parent misses more than one consecutive occurrence of any holiday. The split-holiday model divides individual holidays, with one parent having Christmas Eve and the other having Christmas Day. The fixed-holiday model assigns certain holidays permanently to one parent based on cultural, religious, or family significance. The double-celebration model allows children to celebrate each holiday twice with each parent on different days.
Alternating-Year Schedule Template
In an alternating-year schedule, parents divide the 10 statutory holidays into two groups of 5 holidays each. Parent A receives Group 1 holidays in odd years (2025, 2027, 2029) and Group 2 holidays in even years (2026, 2028, 2030), while Parent B receives the opposite. This model provides predictability for multi-year planning and ensures equal holiday time over a two-year cycle.
Group 1 holidays commonly include: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Saskatchewan Day, and Christmas Day. Group 2 holidays commonly include: Family Day, Easter Monday, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, and Remembrance Day. Parents should specify exchange times (e.g., 6:00 PM on the holiday or 9:00 AM the following morning) and locations (e.g., the child's school or a neutral public location).
Split-Holiday Schedule for Christmas
The Christmas season presents unique scheduling challenges because it encompasses multiple significant days within a 2-week period. A common Saskatchewan approach divides the winter break as follows: one parent has the children from December 23 at 6:00 PM through December 25 at 2:00 PM (Christmas Eve through Christmas morning), while the other parent has December 25 at 2:00 PM through December 27 at 6:00 PM. The parents then reverse this arrangement the following year.
Alternatively, some families split the entire winter break, with one parent having December 23-30 and the other having December 30 through the first day of school. This approach minimizes mid-holiday exchanges but means each parent alternates missing either Christmas Eve/Day or New Year's Eve/Day each year.
Summer Parenting Time in Saskatchewan
Summer vacation parenting time requires specific provisions separate from the regular weekly schedule and statutory holiday arrangements. Saskatchewan courts recognize that summer provides extended time for parent-child bonding, and most parenting orders include 2-4 weeks of uninterrupted summer parenting time for each parent. Under section 16(3)(b) of the Divorce Act, courts consider the nature and strength of the child's relationship with each parent when allocating summer time.
The most common summer arrangement grants each parent 2 consecutive weeks of uninterrupted parenting time, totaling 4 weeks that override the regular schedule. Parents must provide 30-60 days written notice of their intended vacation dates, with the first-choice selection alternating yearly. For long-distance parenting situations where one parent lives outside Saskatchewan, summer time may extend to 6-8 consecutive weeks to account for travel logistics and the limited opportunities for regular parenting time during the school year.
Summer Scheduling Best Practices
Saskatchewan parenting orders should specify: the total number of summer vacation weeks per parent (typically 2-4 weeks each); the notice deadline for selecting vacation dates (commonly 30-60 days); the method for resolving overlapping date requests (alternating first-choice or coin flip); whether summer weeks must be consecutive or can be split into separate periods; and the pickup/drop-off arrangements for summer exchanges.
Creating Your Saskatchewan Parenting Plan
Saskatchewan requires parents to complete the Parenting After Separation (PAS) course before the court will hear any application involving children. The online course takes approximately 3-4 hours and costs around $45-60. Upon completion, parents receive a Certificate of Attendance that must be filed with the Court of King's Bench. Failure to complete the PAS course may result in the court striking pleadings, refusing submissions, or adjourning the application until compliance.
Parenting plans should address: the regular weekly parenting time schedule; the holiday parenting time schedule with specific dates and exchange times; summer vacation arrangements including notice requirements; transportation responsibilities and costs; communication methods between households; and procedures for modifying the schedule.
Agreement Maker and Parenting Plan Tools
The Government of Saskatchewan provides the Agreement Maker through Family Law Saskatchewan, a free online tool that guides parents through creating comprehensive parenting plans. The federal Department of Justice Canada offers the Parenting Plan Tool, which prompts parents to address all key aspects of co-parenting including holidays, vacations, and special occasions. Both tools generate written agreements that can be incorporated into court orders with judicial approval.
Mandatory Early Dispute Resolution in Saskatchewan
Before filing a contested parenting application with the Court of King's Bench, Saskatchewan requires parents to attempt early family dispute resolution. Acceptable methods include mediation, collaborative law, parent coordination, arbitration, or the provincial Child Support Calculation Service. This requirement reflects Saskatchewan's emphasis on resolving family disputes outside the courtroom when possible, reducing costs and conflict for families.
Mediation typically costs $150-300 per hour, with sessions lasting 2-4 hours. Collaborative law involves each parent retaining their own collaboratively-trained lawyer, with all parties committing to reach agreement without court intervention. Parent coordinators help implement and modify existing parenting arrangements, with their authority expiring 2 years from appointment under The Children's Law Act, 2020. If early dispute resolution fails, parents may proceed to court, but must file evidence of their good-faith resolution attempts.
Modifying Holiday Parenting Time Orders
Saskatchewan courts may modify holiday parenting time arrangements when there has been a material change in circumstances affecting the child's best interests. Common grounds for modification include: relocation of a parent more than 100 kilometers; significant changes in a child's school or extracurricular schedule; safety concerns including family violence; or the child reaching an age where their preferences carry greater weight.
Under section 17(1) of the Divorce Act, either parent may apply to vary a parenting order. The relocating parent must provide at least 60 days written notice under both the Divorce Act and The Children's Law Act, 2020. If the move would substantially change the child's relationship with the non-relocating parent, courts may require modification of the holiday schedule to preserve meaningful parenting time.
Relocation and Holiday Schedule Impacts
When one parent relocates, holiday parenting time often becomes more significant because regular weekly exchanges may no longer be feasible. Saskatchewan courts recognize that relocating families may need to restructure holiday schedules to provide longer, less frequent parenting time with the non-relocating parent. This might include assigning entire school breaks (winter break, spring break, summer vacation) to the long-distance parent rather than splitting them.
The 60-day notice requirement applies to any relocation that would have a significant impact on the child's relationship with the other parent, whether the move is within Saskatchewan, to another province, or internationally. Courts consider the reasons for relocation, the impact on the child, and whether meaningful parenting time can be preserved through modified arrangements.
Supervised Parenting Time During Holidays
When safety concerns exist, Saskatchewan courts may order supervised parenting time during holidays. The Saskatoon Supervised Access Centre and Regina Supervised Access Centre provide court-ordered supervision services. Parents can only access these services if a judge orders supervised parenting time. The centers operate during limited hours, which may restrict holiday scheduling options.
Supervised parenting time may be ordered when there are concerns about family violence, substance abuse, mental health issues, or parental alienation. The supervising person or agency documents each visit, and courts may use these reports when considering whether to modify the supervision requirement. Holiday supervision typically costs $40-80 per hour, depending on the provider and whether the visit occurs during regular or holiday hours.
Family Violence Considerations
Under section 16(3)(j) of the Divorce Act, courts must consider any family violence when determining parenting arrangements including holiday schedules. The definition of family violence includes physical, sexual, psychological, and financial abuse, as well as coercive and controlling behavior. Courts may restrict or eliminate holiday parenting time for a parent who has engaged in family violence, or may require supervised exchanges or supervised parenting time.
Saskatchewan's Family Law Information Centre (FLIC) provides information and referrals for parents experiencing family violence. The Victim Services program offers safety planning and court support. Emergency protection orders can be obtained through the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan, and may temporarily suspend parenting time pending a full hearing.