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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, M ay 28 ,2 02 0 | 8 LITIGATIONlegal matters What impact does COVID-19 have on parenting children for separated parents? The advice offered in this column is intended for informational purposes only. Use of this column is not intended to replace or substitute any professional, financial, medical, legal, or other professional advice. Q A ASK THE PROFESSIONAL Todd C. Hein Partner Family/Divorce Lawyer Proud member of B2C Halton Hills OFFICE LOCATIONS GEORGETOWN 8 Guelph Street 905 452 7400 BRAmPTON OFFICE (main) 350 Rutherford Road S., Suite 320 905 452 7400 CALEDON EAST 15955 Airport Road, Suite 201 905 584 4545 This is a very important question given the health concerns surrounding COVID-19 and the concerns about what's most precious, your children. The courts have responded to a number of cases that have come before it on this very issue. The court has held that generally "there should be a presumption that existing parenting arrangements and schedules should continue", and that parents "should not presume that the existence of the COVID-19 crisis will automatically result in a suspension of in-person parenting time". Instead, case-specific facts must be brought forward to support a request to change circumstances relating to children. Certainly, children are not to be exposed to unreasonable risk, but COVID-19 is not in and of itself a basis for changing or denying a parent's time with his or her child.The court has affirmed that, even in this unprecedented time, "[t]he overriding principle of the child's best interests remains". Most, if not all of these matters have come before the court on an urgent basis, particularly as the courts are closed except to urgent or emergency matters. The courts have provided us with guidance in terms of what constitutes urgent in these special circumstances. If you think you have a situation that needs to be addressed, please contact us for a free consultation as we do a lot of family/divorce law. Our offices remain open to help clients as lawyers have been deemed an essential service, although we are conducting business remotely, including video conferencing. Be healthy and safe one and all. Empowering Clients. Enriching the Community. 905-877-8500 •www.devereauxcemetery.ca A Final Gift to Your Family Main Office: 600 Spring Gardens Road, Burlington Owned & Operated by The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of the Diocese of Hamilton in Ontario Cemetery Address: 12337 17th Side Road, Georgetown Prearranging your burial or cremation is the last gift you can give your family. It releases them from having to quickly make decisions in their time of grief. It also frees them from the need to pay costs associated with your cemetery arrangements. Contact one of our family counsellors to discuss your wishes and options. New certificates added daily #togetherlocal GiftCertificateSale. $50 Gift Card and Loyalty Card for Osmow's NOW ONLY: $25.00 RetailValue $50.00 BUY NOW Go to togetherlocal.ca to show your support. The Acton Agricultural Society announced on May 22 there will be no Acton Fall Fair in 2020. "We start planning the fair the month after the previous one," said Jill Me- dland, secretary and trea- surer of the Acton Agricul- tural Society (AAS). "We've had hundreds of volunteer hours already put in." But with the uncertain- ty surrounding the CO- VID-19 pandemic, the di- rectors of the fair had to make the difficult decision to cancel the fair. "We're not going to be able to accommodate phys- ical distancing and sanita- tion protocols," Medland said. "It was time to make the call," she continued. "We're all really sad." Medland said she be- lieved it's the first time in the fair's history that it's been cancelled. "Since 1913 we have over- come many obstacles," Dave Somerville, president of the AAS, wrote in a Face- book post on behalf of the fair's board of directors. "We will overcome this too." The fall fair is expected to return in 2021. NEWS ACTON'S FALL FAIR CANCELLED FOR 2020 BRYAN MYERS bmyers@metroland.com A classic midway typically rounds out the attractions at the Acton Fall Fair. The Acton Agricultural Society has announced there will be no 2020 edition of the fair, which will return in 2021 instead. Melanie Hennessey/Torstar