2009/2010 Program Stats

According to the most recent BC AG report, in 2009/2010 the BC FMEP served around 84,000 parents and 67,000 children, collecting $173.5 million in maintenance.

Apparently the average recipient receives $400 per month.

83% of recipients received "some" payment, "and in 41% of cases,
the total amount outstanding was reduced. "

In 2009/10, the FMEP collected $1.97 million in default fees.  We note that default fees go to program administration costs and are not sent to the recipient.  We'd like to know whether any of those fees go back into the Provincial Treasury, and/or if FMEP gets to keep the fees as profit.

BC Auditor General's Report on FMEP - 2011

The 9th report from the BC Auditor General for 2011 includes a review of the contractual and accountability framework between the Ministry of the Attorney General and Themis Program Management and Consulting Ltd.  The AG found the accountability framework was "not effective", and a new contract would need to be negotiated to address the AG's concerns.

Key findings from the report include:


Performance management


The Maintenance Enforcement and Locate Services Branch of the Ministry
of Attorney General is responsible for managing the FMEP. The branch
has a good understanding of what the FMEP is intended to achieve and
how the program should serve the public, but an appropriate accountability
and performance management system has not been established under the
current contract. The effective and efficient management and delivery of
the FMEP is not possible without these program controls in place.
The negotiation process underway with respect to the new contract
provides the ministry with an opportunity to improve the accountability
framework for the FMEP and performance management by:

• ŠŠ defining goals and objectives for FMEP in business plans, contracts and performance reports;
• ŠŠ establishing contractually binding performance measures and targets; and
• ŠŠ improving the usefulness and accuracy of management reports to support performance management

Contract management


We reviewed the contractual relationship between the ministry and Themis and found that it was being managed informally, exposing the ministry, program and contractor to an increased level of risk. In particular, we were concerned with unapproved and poorly documented contractual changes and the lack of ministry oversight regarding contract payments, contract performance and related party transactions. However, under the terms of the existing contract, the contractor does provide regular reporting on key
indicators, expenses and financial forecasts, which is reviewed by ministry staff. Effective contract management practices would minimize the risk of poor performance and ensure that the interests and reputation of the Province, the ministry, the contractor and the program are protected.

The ministry can improve contract management practices by:

• ŠŠ approving all contract and sub-contract arrangements;
• ŠŠ monitoring contract performance and keeping records;
• ŠŠ reviewing management fees and operating expenses that are paid under the contract and sub-contract supporting the FMEP to ensure that value-for-money is achieved and demonstrated; andŠ
• ensuring that key decisions and discussions impacting the complex contracting arrangements for the FMEP are adequately documented.