New Support Orders Enforcement Act passed in House of Assembly

Government�s new Support Orders Enforcement Act, 2006 passed unanimously in the House of Assembly earlier this week. Justice Minister and Attorney General Tom Marshall said today that the stronger enforcement measures contained in the new legislation will help put more money into the hands of parents and children who are entitled to receive family support.

"The new measures contained in the act build on the previous successes of the Support Enforcement Agency and provide new enforcement mechanisms that will promote compliance, while increasing collection efforts against debtors," said Minister Marshall. "Enforcing court orders for financial support is part of this government's commitment to ensuring that our children are given every opportunity to succeed."

Minister Marshall explained that under the new act debtors will first have an opportunity to make arrangements with the director of support enforcement. If arrangements are not made, the debtor�s driver's licence could be suspended; big game licences revoked, lottery winnings garnished and arrears included on ones personal credit report. Other new mechanisms identified by the minister included measures to deal with matters where the debtor who is in arrears is the sole shareholder of a corporation and instances where a corporation is controlled by a debtor or a debtor and immediate family members and also providing for the attachment of entitlements to pension plans and registered plans such as RRIFs and RRSPs.

Minister Marshall also said the new Support Orders Enforcement Act allows for the removal of any limitation period and allows the director to collect arrears beyond the current 10-year time frame. "A debtor's obligation to pay child support should not be ended by a limitation period," said Minister Marshall.

"We have provided the Support Enforcement Agency with additional tools to collect court-ordered support payments on behalf of Newfoundland and Labrador children and families," continued Minister Marshall. "It is another example of this government�s commitment to protecting those most vulnerable in society. Rest assured, government will continue to work to overcome the challenges we face in ensuring children and families in our province receive the support to which they are legally entitled."

Media contact: Billy Hickey, Communications, (709) 729-6985, 691-6390

2006 05 18                      3:00 p.m.