Canada’s New Child Support Tables (Oct 1, 2025): Ontario Guide

Canada is updating the Federal Child Support Tables on October 1, 2025. Here’s what Ontario parents should know and what to do next.

Key Takeaways

• Amounts are changing: Many payors will see higher table amounts (often more at higher incomes).
• Orders don’t auto-update: Your current order/agreement stays the same until someone applies to change it.
• Grounds to vary: The new tables generally count as a “change in circumstances,” allowing a variation—subject to a judge’s discretion.

Why They’re Changing

The tables are being refreshed to reflect tax changes, inflation, and federal benefits since 2017, keeping support tied to real net income and cost of living across provinces and territories.

How the Math Works (Ontario Example)

Child support is based on the payor’s annual income and the number of children, using the Ontario table. Amounts are set in $1,000 income bands, with a small formula inside each band so you aren’t penalized for being just over a threshold.

Illustrative example
Children: 2 • Payor income: $51,250
If, at $51,000, the basic amount is $807 and the in-band percentage is 1.54%, then:
$807 + 1.54% × ($51,250 − $51,000) = $807 + $3.85 = $810.85 → typically rounded to $811.
(Numbers are illustrative to show the method.) source: https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2025/2025-09-10/html/sor-dors166-eng.html

Will My Order Change Automatically?

No. To update the amount you’ll usually need to:

1. Compute the new Ontario table figure,
2. Compare it to your current amount, and
3. Apply for a variation (or use an administrative recalculation service, where available).

When Courts Can Depart from the Table

The tables set a presumptive (default) amount. Courts can deviate if:

• There are special provisions benefitting the child; or
• The default amount would be inequitable in your facts.
  Judges must give reasons for any departure.

What Judges Look At on a Variation

• Current income (with updated proof)
• The child’s needs
• Any new obligations (e.g., a new family)
• Whether the new table amount better matches ability to pay and fairness

The release of the new tables generally qualifies as a “change in circumstances,” but outcomes depend on your specifics.

Source: https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2025/2025-09-10/html/sor-dors166-eng.html