Mr. Chair, I would just note that the amendment we're proposing is a mechanism similar to how the government tried to regulate the payday loan industry, and also the Minister of National Revenue mentioned in her remarks at second reading that the Minister of Justice is already working with his provincial counterparts to ensure that such protections are brought into marriage law. I think there is a real issue of parental consent alone for 16-year-old and 17-year-old people leading to bad outcomes. We heard that from witnesses. It strikes me that the government is being excessively timid in not accepting this amendment, especially given that such discussions, we've been told, are already under way.
On May 12th, 2015. See this statement in context.