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The Canadian justice system is based on the idea that people will follow court orders and arbitration awards, and the agreements they have made, because they know it's the right thing to do. When people don't live up to their obligations, steps must sometimes be taken to make them do what an order, award or agreement requires. It's important to know, however, that neither judges nor arbitrators police their own orders and awards, to make sure everyone is doing what they're supposed to do, and that no one is keeping an eye on whether someone is living up to their obligations under agreements they've signed. When there's a problem, it's up to the parties to the order, award or agreement to do something about it.
Both the Supreme Court and the Provincial Court have the ability to enforce orders made under the ''[[Divorce Act]]'' and the ''[[Family Law Act]]'', using laws like the ''[http://canlii.ca/t/840m Family Maintenance Enforcement Act]'' and the ''[http://canlii.ca/t/84h5 Court Order Enforcement Act]'', and certain the parts of the ''Family Law Act''that talk about enforcement. The Supreme Court can also enforce orders under the [https://canlii.ca/t/55dgb Supreme Court Family Rules] and the common-law rules about contempt of court. Enforcement under these laws requires making an application to court, and it's up to you to make the application.
The Supreme Court has the ability to enforce arbitration awards the way it enforces court orders, under section 19.20(1) of the ''Family Law Act''. This also requires making an application to court, and it's your responsibility to make this application as well.
It's important to read these sections of the ''Criminal Code'', as well as the defences available under sections 284 and 285, to really understand how these offences work and the circumstances in which criminal charges require the approval of the Attorney General.
The rest of this section talks about the special rules and remedies for enforcing orders, awards and agreements about parenting time and contact under the ''Family Law Act''.
==Enforcement under the ''Divorce Act''==