Bill 56: A National Disgrace.

The problem in Quebec isn't really equality between men and women. The real problem is Quebec's politicians. In Quebec, the collective power of women politicians is ignored. There is no women's caucus that goes beyond party caucuses. A monumental error on the part of the women who sit in the National Assembly. 

It seems that Quebec City's politicians remain vehemently opposed to the concept of legal equality between the sexes in the Civil Code, particularly in the Code's Family Law chapter. Interestingly, every other jurisdiction in North America substantially settled these issues by the 1980s. What an embarrassment for Quebec and its citizens. 

Once again, the problem lies between the ears of politicians: what a motley crew: re: chiropractors, optometrists, paramedics and the list goes on. In Quebec, unlike other jurisdictions, there was an eternity of debate before the province reflected the reality of the 20th and 21st centuries. 

Returning to Bill 56, such an opting-out mentality for common-law partners is not only embarrassing for Quebec society, but also fundamentally discriminatory. What's more, women who have no children and those living in blended families have no additional rights...what a ridiculous and senseless legal situation. 

It doesn't take the intellectual capacity of a MENSA member to understand the result of these exceptions: a loss of rights for women, which from the outset were only conditional and arbitrary. It's not unreasonable to conclude that when there's trouble in a couple, more often than not, the male spouse is likely to move on, i.e. "change" spouse. 

This worrying political reality in Quebec does not reflect the reality on the ground. A survey conducted by INRS and the Université de Sherbrooke shows that seventy-two percent of Quebecers are in favour of legal equality between married and common-law spouses. Seventy-six percent of non-married spouses also agree. Among women, the figure is seventy-five percent, compared with sixty-eight percent for men. In short, Quebec society is already politically au rendez-vous. Politicians in Quebec City, NO. 

Given the cowardice of the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in the Lola case, it becomes imperative to change our politicians in Quebec City. Without a major reform of those who sit in the National Assembly, Quebec City will remain a representation of mixed parental rights. 

Over to you, the voters!