What happens if a family needs to change a student's custodian?

If the current custodian can no longer act because of a move, health issue or another reason, arrange a new eligible custodian promptly. The custodian must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living within a reasonable distance of the student's school and residence, and new custodianship declaration documents must be signed and notarized. Stay in touch with the education adviser or custodian agency so that a handover can begin as soon as a change is foreseeable; a gap in custodianship can affect the student's care arrangements in Canada.

What to verify

• Set out the responsibilities of parents, the custodian, homestay provider, school and education adviser in writing.
• Keep routine reporting arrangements—frequency, content, time zone and channel—separate from emergency-contact procedures.
• Medical care, school activities, travel, finances and personal information require different authorizations; a custodian cannot automatically make every decision on a parent's behalf.
• Tell the school, homestay provider and relevant government authorities promptly if contact details, address or custodianship arrangements change.

Planning advice

Before departure, prepare a one-page contact and authorization sheet. Agree which matters require an immediate update and which can be included in a regular report, then reconfirm the arrangement each term and after any material change.