| | Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parentsPage 1 of 2 (1, 2) | A huge thumbs up on this one.....
Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Updated Fri. Jan. 26 2007 11:07 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Ontario's Liberal government is planning to post the pictures of "deadbeat" parents who have refused to pay their child support on a new website.
"Most parents are following court orders and making their payments," Social Services Minister Madeleine Meilleur said in a statement.
"But there are also some irresponsible parents out there and our message is simple: you owe your children money and we will find you."
The government says the hope is that members of the public will recognize the faces and inform the province's Family Responsibility Office about the whereabouts of the person being sought.
Meilleur conceded in an interview with The Canadian Press that the website "will of course embarrass" deadbeat parents.
She says parents would be advised that their picture is about to be posted, giving them one last chance to pay their court-ordered support.
The government will be launching the new webpage in late February 2007.
Renate Diorio, founder of Families Against Deadbeats, says they support the move.
"We firmly believe that children shouldn't do without because a parent doesn't live up to their responsibilities. These new developments at the FRO will help make a positive difference in the lives of many Ontario families."
Alberta launched a similar website, and says its site has helped locate numerous deadbeat parents.
Ontario's Family Responsibility Office has almost 188,000 active cases, with each remaining open for an average of 12 years.
Ontario's ombudsman recently lashed criticism against the FRO, for being "inept'' and having a "lackadaisical'' attitude when it comes to collecting outstanding support.
Meilleur said there have been big changes at the office and that things are improving.
The maximum jail time for offenders was recently doubled to 180 days, and the province started suspending driver's licences for non-payment. Since then, the Office says, deadbeats have started paying up in larger numbers.
Meilleur said the Family Responsibility Office has collected $563.4 million in outstanding support since January 2004 after issuing 16,000 notices of intention to suspend driver's licences.
In order to recover money from parents refusing to pay child support, the government passed in 2005 the Family Responsibility and Support Arrears Enforcement Amendment Act. It gives the FRO has the authority to garnish bank accounts, seize lottery winnings, suspend driver's licences and use private collection agencies.
I heard this on the news today and found it a very interesting concept and after reading this article I see that some success has been found in other provinces.
A deadbeat can only be a deadbeat for so long. If they quit their job because of their obligation to pay support friends and family members will soon tire of the sponging.
After hearing this today I did a search and found a International site that parents could have posted on prior to this development. All they needed to do was make a small donation and send the operator of the site the criteria to qualify the site. I even found that the site wanted to make a reality show for Canadian television using 10 celebrity deadbeats in Canada. The site was called wantedposters.com for your perusal.
Personally, I have found the ombudsmen's criticism rather enlightening and its about time all those phone calls started to get someplace. The Family Responsibility Office (FRO) has had its hands tied since conception. What other payable allows you 4 months before they decide to do something about it? Which the FRO office currently waits before enforcing any penalties on a payer. Four months is a long time to wait until something is done to help care for ones children. A child's standard of living is the responsibility of both parents and just because the relationship ended gives one no excuse to end taking care of our children.
Anyone care to share your thoughts on this subject and/or care to share your experiences with the FRO office with your fellow fish online?
I look forward to your replies.  | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/26/2007 9:29:52 PM | WTF is that?
unreal, I just saw it on the news.......
there are websites made by social services that posts pics of spouses for ANYONE to browse through, that owe child support payments, call them deadbeats.....
I have SERIOUS issues with this for many reasons.....
there are MANY reasons why some people legitimately do not pay them......
do these workers have proof they are the parents?
do they know arrangements that have been made between parents?
there are so many factors that make this unreal.....the reason they are doing this, is because the more money someone can get from their spouse, the less the goverment has to pay.....do they realize the problems this may cause?
you can google someone (and a lot of people do, for personal reasons, jobs, many things) and it wil pull them up as a deadbeat......there may be reason's why these payments are not happening.....
how would you feel going to school at 9 years old and having your friends say they saw your parent on the "deadbeat site"..........kids do not need to see this even if it IS true....
this is unreal.......you can be a 5 time convicted child molester and they will not realease your name to the public.....but they can screw your whole life because of circumstanses that might not have even been under your control???
this world is really fvcked! | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/26/2007 10:04:38 PM |
there are MANY reasons why some people legitimately do not pay them......
Legitimate is the optimum word here. If the reason for not paying is legitimate then the courts would not have ordered them to pay. If for some reason changes in circumstances prevents the payer from paying maybe they need to have their order re-evaluated. Just an idea.
do these workers have proof they are the parents?
Wantedposters.com requests the following to post a deadbeat
The 4 Items are ..
1: STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT
Sending us your court order is NOT the same as sending a statement of account.
We want a statement of account from the enforcement office (Every state/province has a different name).
In some states they are called "Friends of the Court" in Canada they are Maintenance enforcement office or FRO, Family responsibility Office.
A print out obtained over the internet is NOT VALID. It could also be an affidavit signed by the state/province confirming the exact amount of the arrears. In many states or provinces it is called an account summary and shows what payments have been made as well as the exact balance that is in arrears. WITHOUT THIS DOCUMENT we will NOT post the case. If you are registered in Ontario, Canada a copy of any letter you have from the FRO with your name and file number on it will suffice.
Please note: Do NOT create your own, it must come from the enforcement office.
2: PICTURE OF DEADBEAT PARENT
Provide us with at least one good picture (NO PHOTOCOPIES PLEASE) of the deadbeat parent. You may include several pictures of the deadbeat and/or his/hers homes/cars/etc. If there are other people in the picture, let us know if you want them scanned out or included. Please note: You MUST write the deadbeat persons full name and birth date (Month/Day/Year) on the back of each photo
3. YOUR INFORMATION
You must include your full name, your full address, your email, daytime and phone numbers. Please note: If you do NOT provide all of this we will NOT post the case. (Please note this information is never provided to anyone). We are a publication and thus governed by certain confidentiality regulations.
4: GENERAL COMMENTS/DESCRIPTION
Give information on the deadbeat parent as follows:
*
NAME OF DEADBEAT PARENT: Provide his/her full name as well as any nicknames they use.
*
BIRTH DATE: MM / DD / YYYY
*
LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: This should be the last exact address you had on him. It should included the full street name, the city, State or Province and Zip. (No abbreviations please)
*
EMPLOYMENT: This should specific the type of work that he/she has been known to do. (example - Fireman, Factory Worker, Business Owner, Construction Worker, etc.) You may include several professions he/she may be doing but please do not provide an entire novel on the subject.
*
GENERAL COMMENTS: This section is very general and should be kept brief and concise. It may include personal details such as if they are remarried, member of any group, union, church, etc. Information about family members you believe they are in contact with, etc. The deadbeat parents interests or hobbies if known
Mail all of the above to the address listed at the bottom of this page. Note the address is in Canada so when mailing it from the Continental USA or OVERSEAS verify your postage.
(Usually under a dollar)
Please include a CASH donation (no Cheques) of $20.00; $30.00; $40.00; $50.00 or more in cash (no checks please-Cash Only) to cover the costs of verification, web hosting and development.
We do NOT accept registered or certified mail, only regular mail.
do they know arrangements that have been made between parents?
Family Responsibility Office (FRO) enforces the court orders and can only make changes with the court order. Any other kind of arrangements such as paying of arrears needs to be worked out between them and the payer. All payments go to FRO prior to disbursement to recipient.
there are so many factors that make this unreal.....the reason they are doing this, is because the more money someone can get from their spouse, the less the goverment has to pay.....do they realize the problems this may cause?
The government = taxpayer so what is the problem exactly?
how would you feel going to school at 9 years old and having your friends say they saw your parent on the "deadbeat site"..........kids do not need to see this even if it IS true....
Ummm Mom/Dad is this this true that you are not paying child support and are being referred to as a deadbeat?
The payer is fully aware that their photo will be published and at that time they are given the opportunity to settle up.
In regards to photos and where they will come from. Let's see Health Cards and Driver's Licenses have photos. Government has access to the whole database.
Anyone else care to share?  | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/26/2007 10:45:11 PM | | I'd rather see a vast improvement in wait times at hospitals than having the government waste money on this crap. Hey lets all give a thumbs for more wasted money | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/27/2007 5:47:46 AM | i think the downfall to this is the simple fact that any parent who does not have the self-respect and decency to care for their child to the best of their ability, surely doesn't have the self-respect and decency to really care if they make the deadbeat parent list.
there is nothing that can force a parent to take care of their children.....guilt does not work, court orders do not work, garnishment may work, but i actually know of parents who have quit their jobs rather than pay their child support......the only things that have ever and will ever work are love and a desire to take responsibility. | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/27/2007 6:32:47 AM |
Legitimate is the optimum word here. If the reason for not paying is legitimate then the courts would not have ordered them to pay.
That is not really a valid arguement. The fact that the court ordered them to pay doesn't necessarily mean they always have the means to pay. If someone is ordered to pay $400/month on their current salary but is laid off and ends up with a lower paying job, this will affect their ability to pay the ordered amount. Will they take that into consideration before posting someone's picture? I doubt it. Hearing some of the experiences others have had with Maintenance Enforcement, they don't give a shit about circumstances. If they have a piece of paper that says you pay, any failure to do so gets you labelled a deadbeat. ex. The SO of one of my mom's friends was ordered to pay backpay to his ex because Maintenance didn't believe their son had completed university. The son and his father sent the office all the documents proving that he did, but they still ordered him to continue to pay until his son turned 24. All the while he had been paying for his son's living expenses and tuition while his ex paid for nothing.
So... while I think it's a good idea for people who really are deadbeats, overall it's going to be a terrible experience. Those with legitimate reasons why they have not been able to make a payment here or there are going to be embarrassed, and for what? Destroy a few good people just to embarrass a few others who probably don't even care? It's like the police at a hostage taking in a school saying, "Well, let's just open fire on the classroom. We may kill a few children, but hopefully we'll at least take out the guy who took them hostage." | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/27/2007 9:06:47 AM | Legitimate is the optimum word here. If the reason for not paying is legitimate then the courts would not have ordered them to pay.
If your going to quote something I wrote then you should quote the entire context of what I had written.
I had continued to say that if the payer's circumstances had changed then perhaps they need to have their support order re-evaluated in the court. The onus is on the payer. And no, you do not need to have a lawyer in order to do this. Anyone can walk into a court house and pick up the required paper work to file their case and will be contacted when it is time for your case to be heard.
That is not really a valid arguement. The fact that the court ordered them to pay doesn't necessarily mean they always have the means to pay. If someone is ordered to pay $400/month on their current salary but is laid off and ends up with a lower paying job, this will affect their ability to pay the ordered amount. Will they take that into consideration before posting someone's picture? I doubt it.
Again, the onus is on the payer to have the orders rectified before the courts if their ability to pay has been compromised. The courts are not there to hold everyone's hand. If your adult enough to have a child then you should be adult enough to deal with your own issues surrounding your case.
And no, the FRO office will not take the fact that you now have a lower paying job and this fact affects your ability to pay 'court' ordered child support. If you make arrangement to make payments this would be something they may take into consideration before posting your picture.
All the site really does is give FRO another avenue to enforce child support and solicits the public's tips in finding deadbeats that have disappeared. Call it Child Supports Most Wanted if you will. Other steps in FRO's arsenal are suspension of driver's licenses and jail time.
But like I mentioned earlier it is up to you to change your court order if your abiltity to pay has changed. FRO is there to enforce court orders. | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/27/2007 2:13:06 PM |
But like I mentioned earlier it is up to you to change your court order if your abiltity to pay has changed. FRO is there to enforce court orders.
Therefore someone who does not get this taken care of expeditiously and is short on a payment or two should be lumped into the same "deadbeat" category as someone who hasn't paid for 5 years? The courts aren't going to grant a payor a reduction within minutes of them presenting proof of loss of income. That's the only point I'm trying to make. The site could potentially embarrass people who are making every effort possible. Maintenance Enforcement (and all their equivilents) don't have a tendency to differentiate between a person who's $50 in arrears and one who is $5,000. They're all considered deadbeats. | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/27/2007 3:06:24 PM | Alberta's site has been going for 6 years now and it would seem to be working. It is called Help Us Find...the link is provided below.
http://www.justice.gov.ab.ca/mep/help_find.aspx
An excerpt from the site is shown below. Check out the rest of the site at your perusal.
Maintenance Enforcement Program
Help us find
The withholding of maintenance payments can deprive children and families of a proper level of subsistence and quality of life. Unless the Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) can locate a defaulting debtor’s residence or employment, our efforts to help these families are impaired.
The "Help us find" web page is intended to help locate individuals who are registered with the Alberta Maintenance Enforcement Program, have chronically defaulted on their court-ordered maintenance payments and cannot be found.
The only debtors considered for this web site are those who:
* owe at least six months of arrears
* have had other collection action placed to encourage them to come forward
* cannot be found through MEP's extensive searches (including Internet searches and searches of motor vehicle registrations)
* have had their files screened by MEP's Special Investigations Unit
* after all of the above, still cannot be located.
In very rare cases, MEP may also advertise to find assets or employment of a debtor whose location is known.
I hope that all the provinces bring in this type of tool to help enforcement agencies across Canada and that they have the insight to link all provinces to a national database.
It is all of duty to protect children and I'll be damm sure that I would check someone out whose children are out of province to ensure those kids are being taken care of.
Deadbeat parent search ....insert name here.
JMHO.  | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/28/2007 2:03:55 PM | | the problem that i have with this is say, people in my case...i dont make enough money to pay the child support, as i also am going to school. now i have it set so that all gst's and income taxes go to my ex for the child support since it adds to the same that i'd have to pay yearly. now, if i go to arrears until my next income tax, does that mean that they should be posting my pic...i dont think so as it is pd, just not monthly as it should be. i wnt to know how they class deadbeats, is it someone that hasnt pd for over a year, or someone that's late paying it. it doesnt make sense to me | |
|
mkara
| | Joined: 12/11/2006
Msg: 11 | |
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/28/2007 3:51:38 PM | | Well "F" every one who says they cant offoed to pay child support. I know people who work part time jobs to pay theirs. They also must give up things they want, like going to school. As far as I know, most child support is based on income. People are selfish and greedy who say they cant offord child support. I know supporting children is hard, I have my daughter living with me. I take the best care of her that I can. I dont neglect her needs so I can go to school and other things. I buy my cloths at Wal-Mart and on sale if I can find good sales. I work full time and part time. Her father sends me nothing. He says he cant offord it, but he can offoed beer and dope. Good Day!!! | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/28/2007 7:04:53 PM | | I think that it is a good idea. I hope that Ontario does the same as Alberta and withold lottery winnings and hunting/fishing licences as well. People who don't pay child support or can't afford to shouldn't be out fishing if they can be pumping gas to buy the baby a new pair of shoes. I understand that some people are not in a position to pay because they are unemployed or whatever but I feel no pitty for them because if you can exert all that effort making a baby I am sure you have enough energy to get a job. I looking forward to seeing the site and I will check it out. I work with allot of people and who knows it might make for some nice workplace convesations, lol. | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/29/2007 12:29:04 AM | WHOAH!
Aside from it sounds like a lot of privacy rights been violated (actually "what" privacy nowadays, that is more of an illusion...). But it sounds like it will open a big can of worms, with a lot of potential lawsuits. Do you guys even *care* that you are voluntarily giving up your rights for someone else to tell you what to do, and can destory your life because they feel like it?
I've personally seen both sides. Yes, there are deadbeats. But, not everyone who is "labelled" a deadbeat actually is. Manipulation goes both ways -- so what if you totally destroy someone's life who was "alledgedly" a deadbeat, and then realize after a while "oops, haha, we made a mistake?"... Oh, and btw "justachild", lol taxpayer != government. They are *not* the same. | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/29/2007 1:10:35 AM | I'm with backater on this one! I despise the term 'deadbeat' parent which apparantly the only cxriteria is being behind in support payments. Its rediculous. I have a hard time keeping up on the support..I am always juggling it... But I spend absolutely every possible moment that is available with the children. Way more than most absentee parents. I drive a long way to get them sometimes. It was never my idea to break up the family in the first place. It was the mother's..who has a severe drinking problem. she has ad three husbands since me!! One other baby! Call me Late on payments... but don't call me a "deadbeat" dad!!!! I represent the Only thing really constant in my children's lives!
This Idea...accross the board...sucks! | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/29/2007 1:54:17 PM |
Oh, and btw "justachild", lol taxpayer != government. They are *not* the same.
Then perhaps you could clarify for our viewers who funds the government. If its's not the government then I would like to know where exactly my taxes are going.
Thanks, and have a wonderful day. | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/30/2007 10:21:30 AM | Lol.
A taxpayer may *fund* the government, but it does not mean a taxpayer *is* the government. When's the last time you decided you didn't have to pay for a speeding ticket, because you didn't feel you were, and so didn't have to pay? Or, for example, you are told how much you have to pay in taxes, you don't choose. Or... many other examples. A taxpayer funds the government, but does not *equal* the government. | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/31/2007 8:49:45 AM | So the government is going to show us who the deadbeat dads are but hide from us who the child molestors are? Posting a photo on a website on the internet isn't going to accomplish anything. Especially when one of these guys sue the government claiming harassment, and they will win, and my tax dollars will pay for his settlement.
When I was growing up my mom and her friends had one of those 4' "deadbeat dad" signs placed on my father's front lawn for all his neighbours to see. It changed absolutely nothing. This is the idea of a few idealists who know little about the real world, and who shouldn't be allowed to spend taxpayer money.
Thanks Ontario for avoiding the real problems in our province and pissing our money away on a foolish concept. | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/31/2007 9:01:33 AM | The Ontario government has the right idea overall. There are way too many deadbeat dads on the go, especially where I live. The way I see it, there should be three options for unexpected parents
1) Mutually agreed upon abortion
2) If kid is proven by test to be his, and girl wants father in kid's life, there should be child support payments.
3) If mother wants the child to have no contact with the father, she automatically forfeits all rights to child support.
While this may sound bad, I have seen many good guys get saddled with a "deadbeat" mother who denies access to the kid and uses the child support to support herself and neglect the child.
The whole state of affairs almost makes me want to have a vascetomy(??) | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/31/2007 9:24:22 AM | Perhaps when the government is spending less on trying to enforce child support they can in fact boost the health care system.
I wish America would do something like this. I know so many women struggling to make ends meet because their exes refuse to pay up. It's really sad to see so many men who refuse to own up to their responsibilities whether they feel it was a mistake or not.
These children have the right to be provided for, that's why child support was set up in the first place.
I say Kudos to the Candian Government, and I hope more countries will follow suit.
| |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 1/31/2007 10:18:35 AM | | I think this is a bad idea, for a couple of reasons. The primary reason is that frequently the courts are manipulated by unscrupulous, bitter people looking to get even with their ex. This is happening to a friend of mine right now. His ex filed false paperwork claiming that he owed her money when in fact he didn't. He took her to court and proved it. She filed to garnish his wages and seize a bank account anyway and got it (my understanding is that she didn't tell the state agency about the court ruling clearing him). He sent in copies of the court ruling, but they say he say has to hire a lawyer and blah blah blah. The catch-22? He can't afford a lawyer now because the state seized his f-ing money! Under the stupid program that Ontario is considering, my friend would probably be considered a deadbeat. | |
|
| |
| |
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 2/1/2007 6:13:20 PM | I am sorry if this offends people but if you don't like it pay the F -ing support payments on time!
How hard is that? Don't want to be on the list pay your support and you have nothing to worry about. I think that there should be stiff penalties for Deadbeat Parents as they have gotten away without paying for long enough. | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 2/9/2007 7:06:05 PM | Second time I've posted to this topic today...sheesh people....
You need to understand the PURPOSE of this website. It's not for people that have been laid off, or people that have fallen behind a couple of payments, or people that have opted out of FRO and make their own arrangements and agreements for support.
This is for parents who REFUSE to pay. Parents who move around, quit jobs, etc...in order to get away from paying support. This is for parents who are seriously in arrears (thousands) due to an outright REFUSAL to pay. It's like a "Most Wanted" list; those that are trying to hide from their responsibilities are now being outed. It will help the FRO locate these people to help enforce their obligations under the law.
Now, those who are boo-hoo'ing (yes I know, not a word) about children's friends seeing their deadbeat parents picture and causing embarassment, think about that for a second. First, that parent is most likely out of the picture. Since they are on the run so to speak, most likely they do not have contact in their children's lives. Who the hell is going to know?? Seriously, I don't see this as an issue at all.
Now the next complaint "Why don't you spend more money on health care instead of wasting it on this". Sit and think (again) for a couple of minutes about the economical repurcussions of these parents NOT taking care of their children. More single parent families are forced to live off of the system for either a small while or long term because they are not getting the support needed to raise the children. If everybody paid their support, this country would have BILLIONS freed up for health care.
I'm tired of all the sob stories about why it's ok not to pay your support. Real parents take care of their own no matter what it takes. | |
|
| Ont. gov't website to embarrass deadbeat parents
Posted: 2/9/2007 8:07:22 PM | I strongly disagree with this whole idea.
As it has been stated by some posters - there are many reasons why people have not paid their child support.
While some are deadbeats - some simply cannot pay it and live... sad, but it happens in many cases, I am sure.
I also have some pretty strong issues with how some provinces handle child support - did you know that in BC (I'm not sure if it's the same in any other province) a person who is not the biological parent will have to pay child support if they are with the single parent for two years???? This is crazy if you ask me.
So, a person can hop from partner to partner and collect child support from them all? Not right! The government goes after anybody they can in order to avoid paying social assistance to the single parent. While I agree that it's not a great idea to spend tax payers money when it can be avoided - is it fair to make non-biological parents pay child support?
Doesn't this sort of thing end up hurting single parents in the long run? I have to be honest, I would think twice before moving in with a person who has children from a past relationship in BC.. I don't mind paying while I'm there, but to have to pay for another person's child? It just doesn't sound reasonable.
To keep on topic - this is why I don't think that it's fair to post pictures - If I were ordered to pay support to kids that where not mine, my face would be posted there too - and trust me! I'd be SMILING!!!
OP | |
|
Home
login 
