As I was saying, the Barreau du Québec generally considers that the legislator has met this challenge brilliantly, but we have some comments to make.
First, the Barreau du Québec notes that some provisions of the bill seem to be breaches of the principle of parental authority as defined in Quebec legislation.
In fact, Quebec civil law provides that parents exercise parental authority together, and that it is only in exceptional cases that the other parent fully exercises the attributes of parental authority. Having said that, a parent with parental authority may delegate certain responsibilities, such as custody, supervision and education of the child to a third person. However, the parent remains the holder of parental authority in general.
We therefore consider that clauses 16.1 to 16.5, which provide for the possibility for third parties to intervene in decisions concerning the child, constitute a major breach of the principle of parental authority. We consider that these decision-making powers must continue to be exercised by the holders of parental authority. We also believe that allowing such interference by third parties in this regard is not only contrary to Quebec civil law, but could go against the best interests of the child.
I will now turn things over to Ms. Laberge, who will continue the presentation.