Family Law Assistance Services

The Family Law Assistance Services Section of the Department of Justice Canada administers three programs:

Family Orders and Agreement Enforcement Assistance Unit (FOAEA), which:

• traces individuals in default of a family provision;
• intercepts federal payments that would otherwise go to individuals who are in default of their family support obligations;
• orders the suspension or denial of federal licences and passports; and
• operates an Automated Information System, linked to a 1-800 number, that receives about 11,000 calls per month.

Central Registry to Divorce Proceedings Unit (CRDP), which maintains a nation-wide registry of divorce actions and prevents duplicate proceedings in different courts.

Garnishment, Attachment and Pension Diversion Registry (GAPDA), which permits the garnishment of public servants' salaries and payments to federal contractors within the National Capital Region.

The Section works closely with, and provides services to, the provinces and territories under formal and informal agreements. Its activities are authorized mainly under three federal acts:

• Family Orders and Agreement Enforcement Assistance Act;
• Garnishment, Attachment and Pension Diversion Act, and
• Regulations under the Divorce Act.

Other statutes, such as the Access to Information Act, the Privacy Act, the Financial Administration Act and the Statistics Canada Act also influence operations.

Child Support Guidelines

For more information on the garnishment process please refer to If your federal payment has been reduced... or contact your provincial or territorial Maintenance Enforcement Program or call 1-800-267-7777.