Mr. Speaker, I have in my hands a press release issued by the Government of Quebec. I will read the first paragraph only, after which I will have a question for the hon. member.
September 2, 1997
In Montreal this morning, Quebec's Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Serge Ménard, unveiled the new family mediation program. As of yesterday, there is a new way to approach separation or divorce in Quebec and it is free. Bill 65, an act adding family premediation to the Code of Civil Procedure and amending other provisions in this Code, which was passed by the National Assembly on June 13, came into effect on September 1. For the first time in Quebec, it will now be possible for couples with children to reach agreement on custody, visiting rights, outings, support payments and even the division of property, at no cost.
That is pretty clear, as press releases go. I also think it is pretty clear as to the approach taken by the National Assembly.
My question for the member who has just spoken is this: Does he think that the other provinces should follow Quebec's example in the treatment of families when they separate, and under the new bill, when they divorce as well, with respect to mediation? Does he not think the federal government should withdraw entirely from the family law sector and leave this completely up to the provinces?