Thank you. On clause 5, as amended. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Whether the federal government actually changes the definition of marriage or not we should still proceed with this legislation. Even if the definition of marriage isn't changed, we should proceed with this. The Member just agreed that heterosexual common-law couples shouldn't be discriminated against simply because they're not legally married. That is supported by the courts. Well, the courts have supported the exact same thing with same-sex couples. You can't discriminate against them simply because they're not legally married. You can't say they're not a couple. So whether the definition of marriage is changed or not, it has nothing to do with whether or not couples have rights. The courts have found that heterosexual couples, whether they're married or not, have rights, as do same-sex couples.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Mr. Zoe. Clause 5, as amended.

Clause 6.

Clause 7. Mr. Dent.

Mr. Chairman, I move that subclause 7(3) of Bill 17 be amended by striking out "section 7 of Bill_," in proposed subsection 1(3) of the Intestate Succession Act and by substituting "section 7 of Bill 17,".

Mr. Chairman, this motion amends sub-clause 7(3) to correct an internal reference back to Bill 17, Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act, in a new transitional provision being added to the Intestate Succession Act. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Clause 7, as amended.

Clause 8. Mr. Dent.

Mr. Chairman, I move that the following be added after clause 8 of Bill 17:

Wildlife Act

8.1. Paragraph 30(3)(a) of the Wildlife Act is amended by deleting "wife or widow" and by substituting "spouse or surviving spouse".

Mr. Chairman, this motion adds a new clause to the bill which will provide an amendment to the Wildlife Act which presently permits the wife or widow of a general hunting licence holder to hunt in a wildlife preserve in certain circumstances. The reference to wife or widow excludes men, women who live in heterosexual common-law relationships and same-sex spouses of either sex. As amended, paragraph 30(3)(a) will include the spouse and surviving spouse of the holder of a general hunting licence.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Clause 8, as amended.

Clause 9. Mr. Dent.

Mr. Chairman, I move that clause 9 of Bill 17 be amended by striking out "section 6 of Bill," in proposed subsection 10(5) of the Wills Act and by substituting "section 6 of Bill 17,".

Mr. Chairman, this motion amends clause 9 to correct an internal reference back to Bill 17, Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act, in a transitional provision being added to the Wills Act. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just an observation. Again, I'm not on the Social Programs committee, but why are we bringing forward so many different amendments on the floor of the House and why isn't it a much cleaner piece of legislation? Thank you.