B.C.'s Family Maintenance Enforcement Program (FMEP) is celebrating 25 years of operation and more than $3 billion collected for B.C. families.

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton marked the event with a tour of one of the FMEP locations where she talked with staff about the important work they do on behalf of families.

FMEP was established in 1988 to monitor and enforce court orders and agreements for child support and spousal maintenance. Each year, FMEP handles approximately 45,000 cases, representing 85,000 parents and 75,000 children. Any British Columbian currently living in the province, with a maintenance order or agreement, can enrol in the program. There is no charge to access the program's services.

A cost-neutral program, FMEP helps keep conflicts over family maintenance support payments out of B.C.'s court system. Most enforcement action is administrative, such as wage garnishment or the denial of drivers' licences. This highly successful program is a great example of how government can provide necessary services while reducing costs to government.

Quote:

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton -

"The Family Maintenance Enforcement Program and its employees help parents in their most important task - taking care of their children's day-to-day needs. I commend them for providing a highly successful and essential service that not only helps British Columbians, but is a prudent use of taxpayer dollars."

Quick Facts:

• FMEP handles around 45,000 cases each year, representing 85,000 parents and 75,000 children.
• In 2012-13 family support collections hit a record $197 million.
• While no program can guarantee results - about 95 per cent of orders receive some payment after enrolment, and over 80 per cent receive payments each year.
• The FMEP website receives over one million hits each year, and the program completes over one million payment transactions per year.

Learn More:

Follow this link to learn more information about the FMEP and how to enrol: https://www.fmep.gov.bc.ca/

Contact:

Lori DeLuca
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice (Attorney General)
250 953-3196