Deadbeat dads found in Ontario after mugs posted on website

by Actual News Geezer | March 20, 2007 at 10:26 am

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An Ontario government website is claiming its "deadbeat dads" wanted posters is a big success. This image comes directly from the Family Responsibility website. The fellow in question is identified as Clayton Popoff, from Lindsay, Ontario.

Altogether, the government claims it has located five men who have failed to provide family support payments. The article in the Toronto Star says Good Parents Pay "has received almost 17 million
hits in the past month, resulting in about 200 tips from the public,
said Community and Social Services Minister Madeleine Meilleur."

However, accordint to Readers Digest Canada, some of these so-called deadbeats have been ordered to make monthly payments that are not realistic.

From Readers Digest, "The Truth About Deadbeat Dads":

"Studies also show that many noncustodial fathers who do not pay child
support simply can't afford to. Some are unemployed or on sick leave.
In fact, one of the best predictors of nonpayment is the unemployment
rate. Higher incomes are associated with higher compliance rates, and
lower incomes with lower rates. One study suggests that a father's
ability to pay, in addition to his willingness to pay, determines the
extent to which he fulfills his child-support obligations.

There are currently 18 profiles of deadbeat parents featured on the website, with photos and personal information like name, age, physical description, occupation and last known location.

But critics were unimpressed with the government's results thus far, and said finding the deadbeat parents is one thing, but getting them to pay is another.

"What the spouses and children need is action, not another website that does virtually nothing," said New Democrat Michael Prue.

"What (the government has) announced today is nothing."

Conservative Ted Arnott said his constituency office in the riding of Waterloo-Wellington is always getting calls about the Family Responsibility Office, which enforces family support obligations, and the website doesn't go far enough.