1. Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP)
The Maintenance Enforcement Program is Alberta's primary tool for collecting court-ordered support payments. It's a free government service that collects and distributes child support and spousal support.
MEP Services
- Collecting regular support payments
- Tracking arrears (unpaid amounts)
- Taking enforcement action against non-payers
- Distributing payments to recipients
- Locating debtors who have moved or changed jobs
2. Registering with MEP
Court orders for support are automatically filed with MEP. For separation agreements, registration is voluntary but recommended.
Registration Requirements
- Certified copy of court order or agreement
- Completed MEP Registration Form
- Your contact and banking information
- Information about the payor (address, employer, etc.)
3. MEP Enforcement Powers
MEP has extensive enforcement powers to collect unpaid support:
Financial Enforcement
- Garnish wages (up to 50%)
- Seize bank accounts
- Intercept federal payments (tax refunds, GST)
- Register liens on property
- Report to credit bureaus
Administrative Enforcement
- Suspend driver's license
- Suspend vehicle registration
- Deny passport applications
- Suspend hunting/fishing licenses
- Request federal license suspensions
4. Private Enforcement Options
You can opt out of MEP and pursue private enforcement through the courts:
- Judgment enforcement: Register the support order as a judgment and use civil collection methods
- Contempt proceedings: Ask the court to find the payor in contempt
- Property seizure: Through a civil enforcement agency
5. Interprovincial Enforcement
If the payor lives in another province or country, support can still be enforced through reciprocal enforcement agreements.
Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act (ISO)
Alberta has reciprocal agreements with all Canadian provinces and territories, the US, and many other countries. MEP can work with other jurisdictions to locate payors and enforce orders.