Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. From what I understand, the PPSA legislation was passed quite a few years ago. At the same time, there was training given to the local bar to get acquainted with that process. I wonder if there is any need or any plan in place to get that updated and have that necessary training done so the system gets used properly. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Minister of Justice, Mr. Antoine.

Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is my understanding that the process to set this up was conducted by this government in partnership with the Nunavut government, but along the way the Nunavut government moved ahead of us. I understand they implemented this a few months ago.

I also understand that might have resulted in our government having to pay more money to get this into gear, whereas if we would have done it at the same time as the Nunavut government, then we might have saved some money. Is there any truth in that? If so, what is the money that we lost?

The Minister of Justice, Mr. Antoine.

Registries and court services, budget summary, operations expense, total operations expense, $8,605,000. Agreed.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a question on page 7-22, under maintenance enforcement. That is the first that I have seen this. I wonder if I can ask, what is the process that is followed in this activity? I have been getting calls from constituents. I have two cases right now and I wish to protect the confidentiality of these people, so I will give you enough information to identify the problem here.

In one case, this woman has outstanding support payments that her ex-husband owes to her. She feels there is not enough followup in this office, the maintenance office, when her ex-husband falls behind in the payments. This woman is also familiar with the Alberta process. She said the Alberta office seems to do more in terms of following up with telephone calls or whatever. However, in the territorial maintenance enforcement office, in her opinion, all that gets done is sending an e-mail to wherever. I think the money from her ex-husband comes from outside of this jurisdiction, so she has to contact wherever that jurisdiction is. This office has to contact the other office to follow up, but she feels there is not enough support behind it.

I have not verified the facts here. I do not know the background. I do not know how this office in the Northwest Territories works and I do not want to make any judgments about that. I am sure they are hard-working people here in Yellowknife. I wonder if the Minister could advise me as to anything so I could tell my constituent. Thank you.

The Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Antoine.

Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I should have stated that in the situation of this woman, she is familiar with the Northwest Territories system and the Alberta system. I think her current partner owes money to the Alberta government or owes money to his ex-spouse, who lives in Alberta. They feel that whenever he falls behind payments, the Alberta maintenance office is after him, writing letters, calling him and does all that that needs to be done.

Whereas this woman's ex-husband is in the Northwest Territories jurisdiction, and when her ex-husband falls behind a payment, she just feels not enough is done to get her ex-husband here to pay the support payments.

I am aware this office does a lot of good work. It does very important work. I felt maybe they were overloaded with cases or something, so they are not able to follow up on the cases as quickly or as strongly as possible. I guess I have to take the Minister's word for it. He says he is not aware of any complaints that might have been received by this office. I do not know. I think I have to also give the benefit of doubt to my constituent who is calling me.

Mr. Chairman, I have another question. I guess the previous one was a comment. Maybe I will follow up with the Minister and give more detailed personal information on that other case.

My second question has to do with enforcement of judgement. I have a constituent whose husband has outstanding child support payments of upwards of $15,000. She has obtained a court judgement, but her husband is a sole proprietor businessperson, so she is hoping his assets or his salary or bank accounts be seized in time to collect this $15,000 so he does not dispose of his assets.

I am wondering, what is the policy or procedure within the maintenance enforcement in terms of how they act on seizing properties or enforcing a judgement? Is this too much of a specific question? Can I get that answered?

The deputy minister, Mr. Sutton.

Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To enforce a judgement, that has to be given special consideration? Should that be my understanding?

The deputy minister, Mr. Sutton.

Ms. Lee.