The ex-Manitoba government proposed reforming Manitoba’s laws governing enforcement of child and spousal support, parentage, child custody and access. Attorney General Gord Mackintosh said the changes would include new tools to collect support from parents following separation or divorce.

The government would post online the names and photos of dead-beat parents with outstanding arrest warrants and increase the maximum penalty for late payments to $5,000 from $500. This is despite a 205 per cent increase in the number of paying parents in full compliance with their child support orders over the past 15 years.

What the Government is not mentioning, is that studies show that many noncustodial parents who do not pay child support, simply can't afford to. Some are unemployed or on sick leave.

Higher incomes are associated with higher compliance rates, and lower incomes with lower rates. In other words, what the Government of Manitoba is planning on doing, is going after the parents who can least afford to fight for the best interests of their children, mainly working class and impoverished parents 

Burdened by unrealistic court- imposed support payments, continuing legal fees (that could be in excess of $50,000), and estrangement from their children, some parents find themselves caught in a downward spiral of depression and have resorted to the ultimate escape: suicide.

In addition, the proposed law does not address any type of punishment for custodial parents who refuse to comply with court ordered visitation, or prevent the non-custodial parent from having a healthy relationship with their child.

The proposed reforms ignore shared parenting recommendations of children's advocates, and many other studies that clearly state having a relationship with BOTH both parents, is in the best interest of the child.

Children need the love and support of each parent, regardless of what the income of the non-custodial parent is.  Please do what REALLY is in the best interests of the child.  Put a halt to this unfair legislation reform immediately.  When it comes to the children of Manitoba, love should come before money, regardless of financial income. 

Thank you.