Canada
Youth
Can I Choose Which Parent to Live with in Canada?
You can say what life in two homes feels like. If you live in Canada, adults should listen to your views. You do not have to settle the disagreement between your parents.
Feeling Safe at Home: A Guide for Children in Canada
You deserve care and protection from harm. If something at home hurts or frightens you, you can ask for help. You do not need to know the law before talking to a safe adult.
Canada · Checked 17 September 2026
What can I ask for help with?
- Being hurt or threatened.
- Not getting the care you need.
- Feeling frightened by what happens between adults.
- Being afraid to go home or to a handover.
What if an adult calls it discipline?
Canada has laws about assault and child protection. There is a narrow legal defence for some corrective force, but it does not excuse abuse or harmful treatment. It does not protect punishment with objects or blows to the head.
You do not need to decide whether a legal defence applies. It is enough to describe what happened and how it affects you.
Who can listen?
A safe adult at school, a healthcare professional or a trusted relative can help. Kids Help Phone also provides support for young people.
You can start with “I need to tell you something, but I do not know how.” If the first person does not help, tell another safe adult.
Who deals with protection?
Local child welfare services deal with concerns about harm and neglect under the rules for your province or territory. Emergency services can help with immediate danger.
If a court decides where you live, your safety matters. It is the adults’ responsibility to respond; you do not have to investigate your family or fix the problem yourself.
This guide explains general rules and services. It does not assess your individual case.
Official guidance and sources
Information checked on 17 September 2026.
Based on the original article by Malin Bergström.
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