Mr. Chairman, we have to remember that even in 1992, there was still very strong pressure from our societies to see families set up with some permanence. That is, unless I'm terribly outdated, I believe that everyone -- families and societies -- wants people to be married. That is what our whole society is based on. Common-law arrangements have grown increasingly acceptable but the fact that there was no protection for common-law spouses, or even the definition, argues the point that we did not want to deal with them for a great many years.

We are trying to do that here, to protect those people who make the choice to live common law. But, making that choice, you also choose to live with less security than what the law provides for in a legal marriage. That is what we are trying to reflect here. If you want to live common law, that is fine but you should know that the law, in many instances, does not provide any protection for you.

We have moved to provide some protection here, but it is not as good as can be provided in a legal marriage. But, that's the choice you make. You don't have to live common law if you don't want to, and you don't have to get married if you don't want to, either, but you should know there are differences. I think that's the point that should be made here. Thank you.