Alta. MLA refuses to explain apparent non-payment of child support

EDMONTON (CP ) -- An Edmonton Tory MLA is calling charges that he is withholding $14,000 in child support payments a "personal matter" which shouldn't reflect on his political career. "For the media to link it to me as an MLA is foolish, especially when both sides of the story are not available," said Gary Masyk, who refused further comment. According to a March statement issued to a High Prairie, Alta., woman by Alberta's Maintenance Enforcement Program, Masyk now owes her about $14,000. She says Masyk is supposed to pay $524 a month under a 2001 order.

"He keeps putting some kind of stop on the payments or getting an order saying he doesn't have to pay," the woman said, adding she has had difficulty getting clear information from the enforcement program. Rick Fowler, head of the maintenance enforcement committee for the Equitable Child Maintenance and Access Society, said Maintenance Enforcement generally yanks a non-payer's driver's licence and garnishees his or her wages long before a year of non-payment has gone by. "There are extenuating circumstances involved but it's a personal matter and I won't comment on it," Masyk said, who added the matter is the subject of legal proceedings. He was never married to the woman. According to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta website, updated in May 2001, Masyk and his wife, Diana, have five children.

back