The Survey of Maintenance Enforcement Programs (SMEP) is an annual survey that collects statistical and descriptive information on child and spousal support payments and cases from maintenance enforcement programs.
MEPs exist in every province and territory to assist in the enforcement of child and spousal support payments. It should be noted that while this survey is considered a census of payments and support for those participating in the maintenance enforcement programs, only Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut participate in the SMEP.
The survey does not represent support orders enrolled with those MEPs in nonparticipating provinces and territories, nor does it represent the many support orders that have not been enrolled with the MEPs.
This JustFact summarises the following trends in child support:
Enrollments decline for the sixth consecutive year
Payment collection rates are at a six-year low
Total enforcement actions decreased
Increase the proportion of cases with arrears owing
Age breakdowns of payors remain stable
Children remain the most common beneficiary