Garnishment, Attachment and Pension Diversion Act

Marginal note:Periodic financial support order versus lump sum pension benefit

• 39 (1) If a financial support order provides only for periodic payments and the recipient’s pension benefit consists only of a lump sum, the Minister shall, immediately after receiving a duly completed application,

  • (a) take all reasonable steps to cause payment to the recipient of any portion of the recipient’s pension benefit that could be subject to diversion as a result of the application of the rules in paragraphs 36(c) to (g) to be delayed, in accordance with this section; and

  • (b) cause the applicant to be notified by registered mail that, unless the financial support order is varied in accordance with this section, it will be treated as a financial support order for a lump sum payment of an amount equal to one periodic payment under the original financial support order.

• Marginal note:Applicant must seek variation of financial support order

  (2) Where, within thirty days of receipt by the applicant of the notification referred to in paragraph (1)(b), the Minister is satisfied, on receipt of evidence submitted by the applicant, that the applicant has applied to court for variation of the financial support order to one providing in whole or in part for a lump sum payment, the Minister shall cause payment of the pension benefit to the recipient to be further delayed for a further period not exceeding ninety days.

• Marginal note:When notification deemed to be received by applicant

  (3) For purposes of subsection (2), the date set out in an acknowledgment of receipt issued in accordance with regulations relating to registered mail made under the Canada Post Corporation Act shall be deemed to be the date of receipt by the applicant of the notification to which that acknowledgment of receipt relates.

• Marginal note:Where condition not satisfied

  (4) Where the evidence referred to in subsection (2) is not received by the Minister within the period mentioned in that subsection, the Minister shall forthwith treat the application for diversion as an application based on a financial support order for the payment of a lump sum equal to the amount of one periodic payment under the original financial support order.

• Marginal note:Applicant must submit varied financial support order to Minister

  (5) Where, within ninety days after receiving the evidence referred to in subsection (2), the Minister receives a certified copy of a varied financial support order providing in whole or in part for a lump sum payment, the Minister shall proceed with the application for diversion in accordance with this Part.

• Marginal note:Where condition not satisfied

  (6) Where a certified copy of the varied financial support order referred to in subsection (5) is not received by the Minister within the period mentioned in that subsection, the Minister shall forthwith treat the application for diversion as an application based on a financial support order for the payment of a lump sum equal to the amount of one periodic payment under the original financial support order.