Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to provide committee's comments on the bill. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted its public review of Bill 12, Garnishment Remedies Statutes Amendment Act, on September 5th, 2006, and October 16th, 2006. During the public hearing, the Minister confirmed that the amendment will result in fewer fees as garnishment orders will have effect for up to one year and it will no longer be necessary to obtain an order very two weeks as is currently required in many cases. While a garnishment order might apply to several paycheques, the fee would only be payable once.
During the clause-by-clause review of the bill, the committee made two amendments at the government's request to remove a provision which could have created confusion about the priority of maintenance enforcement orders and to add necessary changes to the Public Service Garnishee Act, which were overlooked when the bill was initially drafted.
Following the committee's review, a motion was carried to report Bill 12, Garnishment Remedies Statutes Amendment Act, as amended and reprinted, to the Assembly as ready for Committee of the Whole. This concludes the committee's opening comments on Bill 12. Individual Members may have additional questions or comments as we proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.