Good afternoon and thank you for your testimony here today.
I have a question for Ms. Daphne Gilbert. Earlier on, you drew my attention to a question Mr. Bagnell also referred to. You referred to the solemnization of marriage in the provinces and territories. If you take the Yukon, for instance, the age is set at 15. Formerly, in the province of Quebec, the age was set at 12 and 14. However, although marriage is a federal area of jurisdiction, its solemnization is provincial. Perhaps that distinction should be made.
Canada is a multi-ethnic country, so there are a number of customs here and we must show great respect. I don't know if you live in Ontario, but if so, you know how close Ontario was to having Sharia law passed as a way of settling matrimonial problems. Sharia law recognizes marriage at a far younger age than we do. Imagine the situation which would have occurred if Sharia law had passed by a single vote at Queen's Park. What would have happened today and what would we do with this bill? The same problem arises in the Yukon, where under the law people can get married at 15. Sharia law almost became a reality in Ontario. I understand that there may be a constitutional problem here, but it cannot be solved. It is a chicken and egg situation: which one came first?
Was the constitutional problem you are raising not already settled, specifically in the province of Quebec, where people could get married at 12 and 14 pursuant to the Civil Code which, it should be noted, dates back to 1866? Try to explain your views on this. I will try to follow. I can understand why Mr. Bagnell has some concerns, I do too. The questions do not only relate to the Yukon. You almost had the same problem in Ontario.