Child support guideline reform

AI summary

Petitioners say current child support guidelines rely on gross annual income — including overtime, bonuses and irregular earnings — which they contend can penalize parents who work overtime and lead to unstable support orders. They ask the Minister of Justice to base guideline calculations on net income excluding non‑guaranteed earnings unless demonstrably consistent, and to initiate a comprehensive review of the guidelines to reflect contemporary family structures, employment realities and the best interests of children; no government response is included in the petition.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. 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.