Ontario sets process for support orders across provinces - Children & Families

Community Action, Dec 9, 2002

TORONTO -- The Ontario government tabled a bill that aims to streamline existing procedures for obtaining support orders and reinforcement of those orders in other provinces.

The Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act, which replaces the Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Orders Act, reduces the number of court hearings required to obtain or change a support order from two to one.

Instead of having to appear in court in the originating jurisdiction, those who are seeking to obtain or change a support order will only have to complete an application package. This package will then be sent to the receiving jurisdiction, which will hold a hearing with notice given to the respondent.

In 2001 the premiers agreed to introduce uniform legislation to recognize and enforce family support orders across the country. Thus far eight of the 12 provinces and territories had passed legislation similar to Ontario's proposed legislation. However, a common set of regulations and forms are still being devised between the provinces and territories.