About garnishments

A wage garnishment is a legal process in which an employer must deduct a specific amount from an employee’s earnings for payment to a third party. A court order or government order is required for a wage garnishment.

Failure of an employer to comply with a garnishment order, may result in penalties, fines, or the employer being held responsible for the full balance of the garnishment. A garnishment does not require the permission of the employee.

Identifying Orders

There are three categories of legal orders that employers must comply with:

If the employee has multiple garnishments in effect at the same time, review Multiple garnishments and their processing order before proceeding.

Review the document received to determine who issued the order.

Tip!
  • Federal garnishments display Canada Revenue Agency at the top of the notice.

  • Support garnishments may display references to Family, Maintenance, or Support. For example, Maintenance Enforcement Act, Family Responsibility Office.

  • Provincial garnishments vary by province. It may display Clerk of the Court.

Click your garnishment type below to continue.