Thank you, Mr. Chair. Let's take an example. If a person is a member on a board, like in our Conflict of Interest Act. For instance, if one the Members here...They have to declare the interest of their spouse. What this amendment does is make sure that that condition exists under the Conflict of Interest Act. So a member of a board would have to then be aware and public of the interests of their partner, whether they are same sex or heterosexual. Right now, that is not covered. Right now, the Conflict of Interest Act doesn't provide the same protection to the public that you find in some of our acts. That is the situation that arises, because if two people are living together, there is an expectation that a man and a wife have to meet a certain obligation to declare or to watch for conflicts of interest. Just because people aren't married, they shouldn't have to not worry about declaring that conflict of interest. This is to correct that problem in our laws. It applies equally to heterosexual as well as same sex because it is a problem in our laws with couples right now that aren't married.
Charles Dent on Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on March 9th, 2005. See this statement in context.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 8th, 2005
Page 1921
See context to find out what was said next.