Bill C-22 adopts the current definition of a common-law partner in the Criminal Code, so it's the same definition, an established conjugal relationship of one year or more. We're recognizing the possibility that a couple may have been in a shorter period of relationship and she's pregnant, or a child has already been born of the relationship. In that situation, if you're looking at an established relationship, the greater good would be to protect that established relationship because of the child, even though they don't meet the one-year prerequisite. Bill C-22 contemplates that. But short of those two situations, Bill C-22 does not provide any further exceptions.
On April 17th, 2007. See this statement in context.