Children Come First: A Report to Parliament Reviewing the Provisions and Operation of the Federal Child Support Guidelines Volume 2

This publication consists of two volumes. This particular asset is volume two of two. It was produced by the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Family Law Committee and the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Task Force on the Implementation of Child Support Reforms.

The publication addresses the guidelines that exist across Canada concerning child support and its administration. The publications were created in reaction to changes in family law and the structure of Canadian families. These changes can impact child support arrangements.The publication also speaks to the similarities and differences in child support guidelines by province or territory.

The objectives of the Federal Child Support Guidelines are:

1. to establish a fair standard of support for children that ensures that they continue to benefit from the financial means of both spouses after separation;

2. to reduce conflict and tension between spouses by making the calculation of child support orders more objective;

3. to improve the efficiency of the legal process by giving courts and spouses guidance in setting the levels of child support orders and encouraging settlement; and

4. to ensure consistent treatment of spouses and children who are in similar circumstances.