The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Janis Cooper.

Cooper

Mr. Chairman, to cohabit in a conjugal relationship would usually mean to live together in the same home in a marriage-like relationship. So it would be a relationship that would be similar to a marriage in all respects except for the fact that the people didn't go and get married. So it would have an element of a personal relationship between the parties, whether they have blended their finances, whether they share responsibilities around the home, whether they socialize together. So a court, first of all, would look to see whether the people are actually living in the same residence, then they would look to see whether the relationship that the people are in is like a marriage. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Mr. Koe.

Fred Koe Inuvik

Thank you. Thank you for that explanation. Another question. Does this bill in our modern age here cover couples in a same-sex relationship; two males or two females?

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Mr. Mark Aitken, director of legislation.

Aitken

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The definition "common-law spouse" provides that a common-law spouse means either of a man and a woman. This means that it only includes a relationship between a man and a woman, it would not include a relationship between two men or between two women. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. General comments from the floor. Mr. Arvaluk.

James Arvaluk Aivilik

Mr. Chairman, in the area of limitation -- I don't know my law very well -- does this two years also apply to married couples?

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Mr. Minister, you can use your discretion if you want one of your witnesses to answer.

Cooper

Mr. Chairman, when people divorce, most of the time they're going to be looking for support payments under the Divorce Act, which is a piece of federal legislation. Those provisions would apply to people who are divorcing and have divorced. Married people could still apply under this act for support, but they can only apply under this act instead of the Divorce Act until the time when they are no longer spouses because once they're no longer spouses, they wouldn't come under this act.

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. I'd like to apologize to Mr. Dent. I'll recognize Mr. Arvaluk and then when he's finished, I'll go to Mr. Dent. Mr. Arvaluk.

The Chair John Ningark

Thank you. Mr. Minister.