10 — Friday, February 26, 1993 - North Shore News ot ore changes sought for child-support legislation AMIDST THE raging UI debate, amendments to the Divorce Act passed virtually unnoticed through the House of Commons recently and now await Senate approval, which is expected at any time. The changes are seen as a smail step towards improving a law that has failed to protect hundreds of thousands of single-parent fami- lies fram slipping into poverty. Under the new legislation it will be easier for ex-spouses living in different provinces to apply for a child custody or support order, since only one of the former spouses will have to reside in the province where application for the order is rnade. As well, changes to a custody or support order may be worked out by a former couple through, for example, teleconferencing or sworn affidavits. Related changes to the Family Orders and Agreements Enforce- ment Assistance Act will give the police easier access to federal data banks when tracing ex-spouses in cases of. suspected child abduc- tion. These changes are significant but not monumental. They are a modest start. The legislative committee _ reviewirg the amendments heard submissions that outlined pressing problems in. the child-support system that went far beyond those addressed by the proposed legisla- tion. By Louise Woznow From Ottawa Among these were judicial discretion to forgive child-support arrears, the low level of support payments ordered by the courts and the tax on child-support payments. Susan Milliken, executive direc- tor of the B.C. based organiza- tion, Society for Children’s Rights to Adequate Parental Support (SCRAPS), said in a telephone in- terview from North Vancouver that despite the new legislation, the major problem of maintenance enforcement remains. “What we really need is a system where there is enforcement through the income tax depart- ment so that payments are made at source,"’ she said. This procedure would involve automatic payroll deductions or quarterly - instalments to ensure that child-support payments are made. A spokesman for the Depart- ment of Justice confirmed that further changes in federal legisla- tion dealing with the child-sup- port system are expected soon. on all 93 Corollas r_Instock! ° SEE US TODAY AND FIND CUT HOW YOU CAN GET MORE COROLLA FOR THE MONEY? COROLLA FEATURES INCLUDE: * 1.6 Live, DOHC, 16 vaive, EFI 105 h.p. engine + Driver's side airbag (S.R.S.) + Variable assist power Ailt steering + Dual remote control mirrors BOW NTO' "NOBODY" Beats Our Prices! Over 15,500 New Toyotas Sold! 1290 Burrard St. (near Davie) 682-8881 + 4-wheel independent suspension * 60/40 split and fold down rear seat + Tinted glass + Full size spare tire + And much e! HURRY! It all ends February 28th! TOYOTA The amendments to the Divorce Act are just the first phase of a three-part comprehensive review , of family law announced by the government in June 1991, Yet such a review may not have been needed if things had been different, as one MP explained when speaking to the Commons on the amendments, ‘If for the last 125 years our system of law and government had been domi- nated by women, this would not be a problem and we would not need this legislation. This problem would have long since been cleared up.”’ and CAREER DEVELOPMENT A special supplement to the March 3rd edition of the North Shore News with current information for the community on education, career options and employment opportunities. MARCH 10, WEDNESDAY 2:30 - 6:30 pia. Career Fair - 1993 at Sutherland Schoo! in North Vancouver. An exhibition designed to provide information about education, career options and employment opportunities. Members of the business community will be on hand to answer questions about their fields. tm SGHOOL School District 44 North Vancouver RORTH VANCOUVER . CRAMBER OF COMMERCE