Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the family law reform initiative began a number of years ago with tie work of the Family Law Review Committee. This bill is part of the package that evolved from the efforts of that group. It is one of the four proposed bills currently before the Assembly to update family law in the Northwest Territories.
The main subject areas covered by the bill are domestic contracts, spousal support, division of the value of family property and possession of the family home. A significant move forward in this bill is the recognition of common-law spouses as members of families who should have rights and obligations that are similar to those of married spouses. The bill also recognizes that the spousal relationship is a kind of partnership and that child care and household responsibilities, as well as paid employment, are all valuable contributions to the family unit.
During the spring and summer of this year, the Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted a public review of the family law bills. A response from the public and from interested organizations has been very important in the further development of this bill. As a result of their review, the standing committee made recommendations for improvements to it which results in a number of amendments to Bill 3 during their clause by clause review in September. At the standing committee's request, further proposed amendments have been developed to improve this bill and these will be dealt with later today.
I would like to thank the Members of the standing committee and their staff for the thorough work on the family law reform package. Also like to thank all those who were involved in this initiative including members of the public, Members of the Family Law Review Committee and I look forward to discussion on this bill later today. Thank you, Madam Chair.