In 1997, failure to make ordered support payments could result in the loss of the individual's drivers licence. The provision is contained in amendments to the Maintenance Enforcement Act and the Highway Traffic Act that take effective January 1, 1997. The amendments were approved by the Provincial Legislature in may.
Under the changes, the Director of Maintenance Enforcement will be able to suspend, or even revoke, the driver's licence of an individual who is not complying with support payments to children or a spouse.
The Minister of Community Affairs and Attorney General, Mitchell Murphy, says "Enforcement of support payments is a major challenge and this provision is one more aid to help ensure individuals fulfill the obligations placed on them by the court. Improved collection of support payments benefits the spouse and children who are entitled to the payments."
The Director of Maintenance Enforcement, Debbie Conway, says even the threat of having their driving privileges suspended will encourage some individuals to honour support payments. "The provision will only be used when other reasonable effort shave failed. The spouse and children are entitled to the payments. It is our responsibility to help ensure those payments are made, and this is one way to support that effort."
Prince Edward Island is the 5th province to adopt this enforcement mechanism. Several others are planning similar action.
The Registrar of Motor Vehicles and the Director of Maintenance Enforcement will work together to ensure the effectiveness of the provision. Mr. Murphy says it is an example of "innovative ways in which various divisions of government can work together to meet community needs."
For more information contact: Debbie Conway, Director of Maintenance Enforcement, (902) 368-6010; or John MacDonald, Registrar of Motor Vehicles, (902) 368-5223.