How is spousal support calculated and what is the impact of it?

The compensatory basis for spousal support was explained in Moge v. Moge, 1992 CanLII 25 (SCC), [1992] 3 S.C.R. 813 at para. 70, as follows: Today, though more and more women are working outside the home, such employment continues to play a secondary role and sacrifices continue to be made for the sake of domestic considerations. These sacrifices often impair the ability of the partner who makes them (usually the wife) to maximize her earning potential because she may tend to forego educational and career advancement opportunities. These same sacrifices may also enhance the earning potential of the other spouse (usually the husband) who, because his wife is tending to such matters, is free to pursue economic goals.