Good afternoon.
Thank you to the witnesses for being here again.
Yesterday, the Quebec Native Women's Association issued a press release that reiterated its opposition to Bill S-2, Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act.
The president said that the bill would not comply with standards set out in the Quebec Civil Code regarding the division of matrimonial assets in the case of separation or death. However, given that 40% of native couples are in a common-law marriage, that affects 40% of women.
My question is for Mr. Jacques, from the Department of Justice.
Did your department analyze the differences there would be in the application of the provisions of Bill S-2 in Quebec, knowing that the province did not have the same legal system?
Did the department conduct impact studies on the application of Bill S-2, based on the Quebec Civil Code, to identify possible contradictions or a legal uncertainty?