‘Next to nothing’: B.C. dad’s custody of kids dramatically reduced because he’s unvaccinated

Family Lawyer Scott Taylor said the BC Supreme Court decision could have far-reaching consequences for unvaccinated parents across Canada.

The silver lining of going through an acrimonious separation was the quality time James said he could still spend with his two children.

“I’m basically there for them and when they’re not there I try to find stuff to keep myself busy,” he told Global News.

James, which is not his real name due to privacy issues and an ongoing court case, originally had three days and four nights of parenting time a week – about 63 hours.

Now, James said a B.C. Supreme Court judge has approved an application to suspend that time over concerns that he is not vaccinated against COVID-19.

“This very clearly is a statement that any unvaccinated parent is effectively putting their child in danger…and that child is best served by being removed from that parent,” James said.

Access to court documents is not publically available for family law proceedings, but James did provide an unsigned draft copy of the Feb. 1, 2022 order to Global News.

In the order, James’ parenting time is limited to two hours on Thursday and Sunday of each week. The time with his children must not be indoors which includes travel in a vehicle. The father cannot allow his children to spend time with anyone else indoors unless their proof of vaccination is provided. A mask must also be worn at all times when the children are in James’ care.

The order states, “The suspension of parenting time will be removed upon the Claimant providing proof of double vaccination for COVID.”