1st Session, 36th Parliament,
46-47-48 Elizabeth II, 1997-98-99

The House of Commons of Canada

BILL C-481

An Act providing for equal treatment for persons cohabiting in a relationship similar to a conjugal relationship

Preamble

Whereas the Constitution of Canada provides that every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and benefit of the law without discrimination;

Whereas the Government of Canada already recognizes the diversity of Canadians as regards race, national or ethnic origin, colour and religion as a fundamental characteristic of Canadian society;

Whereas the Government of Canada is working to achieve the equality of all Canadians in the economic, social, cultural and political life of Canada;

Whereas the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of the contributions of homosexuals and lesbians to the cultural, social, economic and political enrichment of Canada;

Whereas homosexuals and lesbians in Canada constitute a minority that is frequently exposed to discrimination;

Whereas the discrimination experienced by the homosexual minority in Canada is in many respects similar to that experienced by other minorities in Canada, particularly by visible and ethnic minorities;

Whereas in recent years some Acts of Parliament have granted the same benefits as those granted to married persons to heterosexual couples cohabiting in relationships similar to conjugal relationships;

Whereas the lives of homosexual and lesbian couples in Canada who cohabit in relationships similar to conjugal relationships are in many respects identical to the lives of heterosexual couples;

Whereas homosexual and lesbian couples cohabiting in relationships similar to conjugal relationships do not at present receive the same benefits as those accorded heterosexual couples cohabiting in relationships similar to conjugal relationships;

And Whereas the Government of Canada wishes to end discrimination in Acts of Parliament against homosexual and lesbian couples by granting the individuals in such couples the same benefits as those received by heterosexual couples cohabiting in relationships similar to conjugal relationships;

Now, Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

SHORT TITLE

Short title

1. This Act may be cited as the Equal Treatment for Persons Cohabiting in a Relationship Similar to a Conjugal Relationship Act.

DEFINITION OF ``SPOUSE''

Definition of ``spouse'' in Acts of Parliament

2. Notwithstanding any Act of Parliament, where, in an Act of Parliament, the term ``spouse'' means or includes a person cohabiting for a specified period of time with a person of the opposite sex in a relationship similar to a conjugal relationship, the term also means or includes, as the case may be, a person who cohabits with a person of the same sex in a relationship similar to a conjugal relationship for that specified period of time for the purpose of any provision of that Act that can be applied to such a spouse, with such modifications as the circumstances require.

Interpreta-
tion of ``spouse'' by the courts

3. Notwithstanding any law or Act of Parliament, where, in an Act of Parliament, the term ``spouse'' is or has been interpreted by the courts as meaning a person who cohabits for a specified period of time with a person of the opposite sex in a relationship similar to a conjugal relationship, the term also means or includes a person who cohabits with another person of the same sex in a relationship similar to a conjugal relationship for that specified period of time for the purpose of any provision of that Act that can be applied to such a spouse, with such modifications as the circumstances require.

COMING INTO FORCE

Coming into force

4. This Act comes into force two months after it is assented to.