Thank you, Madam Chair.
Ladies, welcome to this meeting of the committee. Thank you for travelling here. I am always happy to meet the witnesses.
Let me just say from the outset that some of the things I have heard this morning made my hair stand on end. I had to keep quiet. I heard people repeatedly asking the grand chiefs who spoke before you whether they had read Bill S-2. I found that to be incredibly disrespectful. It is as if I were to ask Ms. Bateman, Ms. Young, Ms. Crockatt, Ms. Ambler and so on whether they had read Bill S-2. I apologize on behalf of those who showed disrespect.
In terms of consultations, the Six Nations of the Grand River have all said that they were not consulted. Consultations with the great first nations are expected and required. I think family law—and correct me if I am wrong—is also set out in the Indian Act, meaning that you have full rights in the way you govern your people, which is normal. That is what we do. They are your people and it is your nation.
My first question is for Viviane Michel.
Your organization has recently issued a news release outlining Quebec Native Women's concerns regarding the implementation of Bill S-2 in light of the provisions of the Civil Code of Québec. In your view, there are discrepancies that are particularly concerning for aboriginal women in Quebec since the Civil Code of Québec does not provide the same rights to common-law partners as it does to legally married persons. It is said that 40% of women in Quebec are in common-law relationships. The implementation of this bill could create more problems. Could you tell us more about your concerns regarding the Civil Code of Québec?