Government of Yukon

03/13/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/13/2026 17:10

New Regulation in place under the Maintenance Enforcement Act

The Government of Yukon has introduced the Income Exempt from Garnishment Regulation under the Maintenance Enforcement Act.

The Regulation sets the minimum amount of income that can be exempt from being collected for child and spousal support payments. It links to the federally established child support guidelines for the Yukon, which are considered by the courts when issuing support orders. Currently, the lowest amount of income set out in those guidelines is $16,000 per year.

Having this Regulation in place resolves uncertainty that was affecting some people who rely on the Maintenance Enforcement Program to play a role in enforcing court-ordered child or spousal support payments owed to them. With the Regulation now in place, the Maintenance Enforcement Program has resumed normal operations.

I recognize that the uncertainty after the court decision and disruptions to the Maintenance Enforcement Program's normal operations have been distressing for people who depend on it. I am pleased this Regulation was prioritized and is now in place. Yukoners can now again rely on the Maintenance Enforcement Program to help collect court-ordered payments for child or spousal support.

Minister of Justice Laura Lang

Quick facts

  • The introduction of this Regulation responds to a September 2025 Yukon Court of Appeal decision (Rogers v Maintenance Enforcement Program) that found it was unlawful for there not to be such a regulation in place. The Government of Yukon respects the court's decision and the Regulation is now in force.

  • When a court orders payment for child or spousal support, people can choose to register those orders with the Maintenance Enforcement Program, which will assist in enforcing the orders if needed.

  • The Maintenance Enforcement Program has multiple tools for enforcing orders for child and spousal support, including seeking orders to collect payments from wages or other income.

Media contact

Tim Kucharuk
Press secretary, Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
[email protected]

Francis Lefebvre
Communications, Justice
[email protected]

News release #:
26-070
Government of Yukon published this content on March 13, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 13, 2026 at 23:10 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]