May 31 is Deadline for Maintenance Enforcement Act Online Submissions

The province continues to seek feedback from Nova Scotians on how to strengthen legislation and improve enforcement of court-ordered child and spousal support payments.

The deadline for submitting comments through an online survey is Tuesday, May 31.

The consultation on the Maintenance Enforcement Act was launched last month. A discussion paper and online survey are available on the Department of Justice website at www.novascotia.ca/just/ .

"Many families rely on the Maintenance Enforcement Program to help them get their court-ordered payments," said Justice Minister Diana Whalen. "Improving the program is a priority of our government. The feedback we receive can help us strengthen the legislation and improve our results."

The province is considering a number of changes to the Maintenance Enforcement Act. The consultation is focused on three key changes that require input from the public. They are:

• using the Internet to publish the names and photographs of individuals who persistently fail to pay child and spousal support
• strengthening notification provisions
• holding money seized from a persistent non-payor for future payments even after outstanding arrears are paid

For more information about the other legislative changes the department is considering and the work now underway to improve the program, visit www.novascotia.ca/just/ .