Enforcement Actions

If support is not paid on time or in full, and if a support payor has not made payment arrangements with MEP, enforcement action(s) can be taken.

Federal and provincial laws provide MEP the authority to take enforcement actions, including the following:

• Support deduction notice (garnishment) - Require anyone who owes the support payor money to pay it directly to MEP through a support deduction notice (SDN). An SDN may be applied to almost any income or money asset. An SDN issued to a financial institution (i.e. bank or credit union) may prevent you from accessing your account in any way (i.e. ‘freeze’ your account) depending on the financial institution’s policies.
• License and vehicle registration - Request that Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) suspend or refuse to issue or renew a support payor’s driver licence or motor vehicle registrations.
• Passport suspension - Request that the federal government suspend a support payor’s passport and/or other federal licences (for example: pilot or marine licence).
• Credit Bureau - Report the support arrears to the credit bureau. This may affect a support payor’s ability to qualify for a credit card or take out a loan.
• Property seizure - Seize personal property and arrange for the sale of such items (writ of execution).
• Land title registrations - Register a lien against any land a support payor may own.
• Personal property registrations – Register a lien against any personal property a support payor may own (including a car, boat, trailer or home).
• Notice to appear - Require a support payor’s appearance before a designated officer to review your financial circumstances and ability to pay.
• Summons to court - Issue a summons for a support payor to attend court before a judge or associate judge that could result in fines of up to $10,000.00 amount or incarceration.

How to stop enforcement actions

Please contact MEP to discuss options to stop enforcement actions. Some options may include making voluntary payments, entering a payment arrangement or an administrative suspension of enforcement (please see the Payment Arrangement and Administrative Suspension of Enforcement sections).

Cost Recovery Fees

A fee may be charged for enforcement actions taken or payments returned by your financial institution. This fee is payable to the Manitoba Government, not to the support recipient.