Thank you.
Thank you all for coming. I was pretty positive about this bill, but you've raised some concerns I hadn't thought about. I'm glad you've come as witnesses.
As the only member from the territories, I want to ask about the constitutional question in relation to the territories. Although you should know that the Yukon government is onside with the bill, it raises the issue that we haven't had any witnesses from the territories, especially those groups that might explain whether or not the social mores are different there, why the ages are different, and what their thoughts are on this. I have to give second thoughts to having more witnesses.
Nicholas and Andrew, I'm very glad you're here. I'm a little upset you used my speech, because I was going to say it's adults making this legislation. We haven't had 14-year-old and 15-year-old youths here to give their opinions. We're legislating for them.
On the constitutional issue, if we put in an exemption that said notwithstanding the age in the province, it would only apply up to the age that would make it legal. In the three territories, for instance, this wouldn't apply for 15-year-old youths because they're allowed to be legally married. Would we then have another constitutional problem because people across Canada weren't treated equally?