Saskatchewan Suspending Hunting & Fishing Licences For Overdue Support

Saskatchewan’s fishermen and hunters may need to call a child support lawyer. Barrie, Collingwood, Orillia, Midland, Muskoka and Newmarket hunters have nothing to worry about, but Saskatchewan is exploring suspending hunting and fishing licences as a way to collect overdue child and spousal support.

“This is just another tool to help enforcement,” said Saskatchewan Justice Minister Gord Wyant.

“Currently we’re at 91 percent enforcement, one of the highest in the country, which we’re very proud of.”

Wyant added the province hopes to have all the rules in place by the middle of next year. The new legislation would restrict hunting and fishing licenses when other enforcement options don’t work.

Options such as:

• Seizing wages
• Seizing payments from the federal government
• Suspending driver’s licences
• Suspending passports

“People have an obligation to support their family … we think this is a very reasonable thing to do,” said Wyant.

The province says it collected more than $39 million in overdue payments in the 2012-13 fiscal year.

There are no immediate plans to explore a similar system here in Ontario. However, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon have all implemented drivers’ licence denial or suspension programs in recent years.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our child support lawyers in Barrie, Collingwood, Orillia, Midland, Muskoka and Newmarket. (If you are seeking a Newmarket divorce lawyer or a family lawyer in Orillia, don’t hesitate to reach out for a consultation.)