On December 2, 2004, the government introduced Bill 155, which received Royal Assent on June 13, 2005. The Family Responsibility and Support Arrears Enforcement Amendment Act, 2005 makes the first legislative amendments to the Family Responsibility and Support Arrears Enforcement Act, 1996 in almost nine years. The amendments include both technical and substantive changes. The amendments strengthen enforcement tools and increase the FRO’s ability to find defaulting payors. Terminology was also updated, and meanings and provisions were clarified.
The legislative changes are designed to:
- increase enforcement capabilities at the FRO;
- improve fairness making the FRO work better for Ontario families; and
- improve efficiency by streamlining procedures at the FRO.
The provisions of the act are being implemented in stages.
For more information, please see Summary of Changes to the Family Responsibility and Support Arrears Enforcement Act, 1996.