To collect arrears and secure ongoing compliance, FRO may, singly or in combination:

• Garnish wages and government funds (e.g., CPP, EI, income tax refunds, WSIB, OAS);

• Garnish bank accounts (including up to 50% of joint accounts);

• Suspend the payor’s driver’s licence (with prior written notice);

• Report the payor to a credit bureau;

• Suspend the payor’s passport and certain federal licences;

• Register liens against personal property;

• Issue a writ of seizure and sale against property;

• Notify professional/occupational regulators;

• Seize lottery winnings;

• Commence a default hearing; and

• Seek orders against third parties assisting the payor to conceal income.
   

If these measures are ineffective, FRO may return the matter to court for contempt proceedings, which can result in fines or imprisonment.

Note on licence suspensions: Driver’s licence suspension is common where no garnishable income is located and may hinder the payor’s ability to work. FRO must provide advance written notice (typically 30 days) before suspending.

• Keep FRO updated with your current contact and employment/financial information.
  

• If you fall behind, contact FRO immediately to arrange a repayment schedule—especially upon receiving a notice of intended licence suspension. Within the period set out in the notice (typically 30 days), you must:

  • Pay the arrears in full;

  • Enter a repayment plan acceptable to FRO; or

  • Apply for a refraining order.

A refraining order temporarily prevents licence suspension on terms the court considers just. To seek one, s. 35(1) FRSAEA requires the payor to:

• File a Motion to Change the existing support order; and

• Bring a motion for an order directing the Director of FRO to refrain from suspending the licence.
   

Such orders commonly require the payor to continue ongoing support and make periodic payments toward arrears pending the outcome of the Motion to Change.

If you miss the deadline in FRO’s notice, a refraining order is no longer available.

• Only a court can vary ongoing support or reduce/rescind arrears. FRO cannot change amounts; it can only administer and enforce and may negotiate payment schedules.

• Bankruptcy does not extinguish support obligations. FRO will continue to enforce ongoing support and will work with the bankruptcy trustee to recover pre-bankruptcy arrears.

If a payment is late or missing, contact FRO. FRO will confirm whether payment was made or whether the payor is in arrears. If arrears exist, submit a Statement of Arrears (including any pre-registration amounts owing).

Parenting time is separate from support. A recipient cannot withhold or restrict the other parent’s parenting time due to non-payment of support.

FRO has reciprocal enforcement arrangements with:

• All Canadian provinces and territories;

• Every U.S. state; and

• 30+ other countries.
   

Under Ontario’s Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act, out-of-province/state/country orders can be registered and enforced in Ontario as if made by an Ontario court. Conversely, FRO can continue enforcing an Ontario order when the payor resides outside Ontario through the ISO network.