Amend child support calculations
Sign on the House of Commons websitePetitioners ask the Minister of Justice to amend the federal child support guidelines to base calculations on net income excluding overtime and other non‑guaranteed earnings unless demonstrably long‑term, and to commission a comprehensive review.
Why we would sign this petition
- Reduces variability in support orders by excluding temporary or irregular earnings, making payments more predictable for parents who rely on steady income.
- Using net income better reflects a payer's actual disposable resources and could yield fairer assessments of ability to pay.
- A comprehensive review would update guidelines for modern family structures and employment patterns, aiming to better serve children's best interests.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Excluding overtime and non‑guaranteed earnings could reduce support received by children whose caretakers rely on those payments.
- Defining 'demonstrably consistent and long‑term' earnings may be complex, invite disputes and increase court time and costs.
- A comprehensive review could delay changes and prolong uncertainty for families needing prompt support adjustments.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the Minister of Justice Current guidelines rely primarily on gross annual income, which often includes overtime, bonuses, and irregular earnings. This approach can penalize parents who work overtime out of necessity, or to meet existing obligations, and create unstable support orders that fluctuate with temporary or unpredictable income; While child support is intended to benefit children, there is currently no mechanism for transparency or accountability regarding how funds are used; and Canadian families and economic conditions have changed significantly since the guidelines were introduced. We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada affected by the child support guidelines, call upon the Minister of Justice to: 1. Amend child support guideline calculations to be based on net income, excluding overtime and other non-guaranteed earnings, unless such income is demonstrably consistent and long-term; and 2. Initiate a comprehensive review that incorporates contemporary family structures, employment realities, and the best interests of children in today’s Canada.
Government response
No government response is available yet.