Bill 169 1997

An Act to amend the Family Law Act with respect to the rights of spouses in a matrimonial home

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1. Section 17 of the Family Law Act is amended by adding the following definition:

"spouse" means a spouse as defined in subsection 1 (1), and in addition includes either of a man and woman who, on or after the day this definition is enacted, are not married to each other and have cohabited,

(a) continuously for a period of not less than three years, or

(b) in a relationship of some permanence, if they are the natural or adoptive parents of a child. ("conjoint")

2. Clause 28 (2) (a) of the Act is repealed and the following substituted:

(a) whether the spouses were married before or after March 1, 1986 if they are married to each other; and

. . . . . Commencement

3. This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent. Short title

4. The short title of this Act is the Family Law Amendment Act, 1997.