moved for leave to introduce Bill C-386, an act to amend the Income Tax Act and the Canada Pension Plan (definition of spouse).
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this enactment is to amend the definition of the term spouse in the Income Tax Act and the Canada pension plan to ensure that the same financial and fiscal benefits relating to pensions are available to both heterosexual and homosexual couples. The current law which is being challenged in the courts denies equality to gay and lesbian people. We pay income tax and make contributions to the Canada pension plan and our partners should be entitled to equal benefits and other equal responsibilities as heterosexual couples.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)