Mahsi, Mr.

Chair. I’m

pleased to appear before the committee today to review Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Maintenance Orders Enforcement Act. The purpose of Bill 5 is to give the Maintenance Enforcement Program more enforcement tools for collection of maintenance payments. The amendment will also bring the act in line with most Canadian jurisdictions which already have these tools available for collecting maintenance payments.

Considerable consultation was undertaken by the Department of Justice on these amendments with the Law Society; the family law section of the Canadian Bar Association, NWT branch; and the Department of Transportation. Proposed amendments were also posted and explained on the department’s web site along with an invitation to submit comments.

Mr. Chair, I’d like to thank the Members of the Standing Committee on Social Programs for their review and comments on the bill. I’d be pleased to answer any questions. Mahsi.