Fearing that they would not have enough time to study the entire family law reform before the end of the parliamentary session, the three opposition parties asked the Minister of Justice, Simon Jolin-Barrette, to split Bill 2 to protect the work done before the election was called.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, Parti Québécois spokesperson for justice and the family, Véronique Hivon, explained that at least 220 of the 360 articles (including annexes) contained in Bill 2 have been adopted. But due to the complexity and sensitivity of the topics covered by the new law, the opposition feared that it would not succeed in studying the entirety of the reform by the end of the parliamentary session, set for June 10.
Unfortunately, it would be impossible for the government to accept all this bill with all the complexity, all the social debates that come with it, all the representations made to us through formal and informal consultations. …explained by Ms. Hivon.
Although the work is progressing well, the opposition regrets the fact that its study of this bill, which has major social implications, was interrupted nearly four weeks before the end of the parliamentary session and the call for in the ‘autumn elections.
” What we don’t like is an approach where the want is to just put square brackets next to the bills. What we want is to make the best bill possible. “
Split Bill
To keep up with the work done so far, the PLQ, PQ and Québec solidaires are proposing that Minister Jolin-Barrette split his bill so that he receives all articles approved before the work is completed instead of the bill being die. in its entirety in the order paper when the proceedings are adjourned.
Sections that MPs may not have had time to study could be included in a second family bill expected in the fall.
Another bill is being planned, specifically on the issue of Eric and Lola […] the whole question of de facto couples will come to it later in the second piece scheduled for some time in the fallexplained Quebec solidaire spokesman on the matter of justice, Alexandre Leduc.
The chapters and topics that we have not gone through in this episode, we can bring to the next bill that is coming soon, which will not be indefinite.
Waiting for many years, the Family law reform Act in terms of filiation and amendment to the Civil Code in terms of personality rights and civil status is a key piece of law.
It changes and adapts many rules that affect the rights of individuals and families, particularly those relating to paternity recognition, adoption rules, contact with grandparents during divorce or separation. , surrogate mothers or the background knowledge for people adopted or resulting from assisted childbirth.
The bill also includes recognizing the rights of trans people and non-binary people and all the terminology that must be examined in the Civil Code to take into account these new realities under the judgment handed down by Judge Gregory. Moore states, among other things. , whose certificates issued by the Registrar of Civil Status will from now on offer gender options other than male or female.
Parents will also be able to choose themselves as a parent without having to choose between mother or father when their child is born. The Minister of Justice, who has until December 31, 2021 to act on the judgment and amend the Civil Code accordingly, will have to request an extension from the court to do so.
Having chosen to include this court’s decision in Bill 2, the Minister has until June 17 to comply with Moore’s judgment. June 17 tomorrow …said Liberal Party Critic for Families and the LGBTQ2 Community, Jennifer Maccarone.
” The Liberal Party filed a motion in December to split the bill, it was a careful job […] Sad because the minister voted against it. “
Simon Jolin-Barrette is hoping to be adopted in June
Asked by journalists on the proposal of his opposition colleagues, Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette did not reject the idea of splitting his bill.
However, he expressed confidence that with the cooperation of the opposition it will be possible, according to him, to adopt all Bill 2 before the end of the parliamentary session. By working together, we candid he declare.
eagerness
Recalling that the government has the prerogative to manage its legislative agenda and parliamentary priority, Alexandre Leduc of Québec solidaire, for his part, regrets that the government has appointed Simon Jolin-Barrette to undertake two such large projects. the end of the parliamentary session, especially the reform of the Charter of the French language and the reform of family law.
The government has the prerogative to oversee its legislative agenda, to manage its parliamentary priorities, he asserted. He decided to have the same minister for two major reforms.
And here, we find ourselves in this challenge of trying to get through this Bill 2 reform before the work is done and the observation we have made by the opposition parties will be difficult, or even impossible.
” We are ready to go as far as we can […] but we are not prepared to give up our work as parliamentarians […] because there we suddenly have to speed up our steps. “
Source: Radio-Canada
