Jun 25, β Here in New York, debate over same-sex marriage has existed for the last few years. But just across the border in Quebec, the big issue is that a lot of couples never marry at all. One third of Quebecois couples have de facto, or common law, partnerships. They live together, join their finances and have families without getting married. That's different than in the U. And now, a case now making its way through the courts may change the rules for millions of unmarried Quebecois couples.
Sarah Harris has more. So Redwanly and Kovecses could just walk away, no strings attached. But that may change, depending on how the Canadian Supreme Court rules in the Eric vs. Lola case. Eric is a Quebecois billionaire. Robert Leckey, professor of family law at McGill University, says the ruling could have wide-ranging repercussions for more ordinary couples. No one really knows what a new law would look like, or what sorts of financial obligations common law partners may have to each other.
The case also represents another profound change in Quebecois marriage culture, which has been in flux over the past 50 years. People see them as egalitarian. Goldwater says traditional family structure and gender norms put women at a disadvantage when common law couples separate. And walk away with nothing? Of course, plenty of people in Quebec still do get married.
So the only rational explanation if you look at the numbers since is that people are marrying because of the party! So, what will happen to Quebec's million common-law couples when the ruling comes down? If Eric wins, nothing. If Lola wins, well, they may want to renegotiate the terms of their relationships.
Quebec could also follow the lead of other Canadian provinces that have give common law couples some protections. But depending on how the Supreme Court rules, they may be forced to decide what, legally, they want that love to mean. Jon Kovecses and Eva Redwanly. NCPR provides this essential service. You provide your essential support.
