Vol. 137, No. 26 — December 17, 2003

Registration
SI/2003-186 17 December, 2003

MODERNIZATION OF BENEFITS AND OBLIGATIONS ACT

Order Fixing January 1, 2004 as the Date of the Coming into Force of Certain Sections of the Act

P.C. 2003-1953 3 December, 2003

Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Solicitor General of Canada, pursuant to subsection 340(1) of the Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act, assented to on June 29, 2000, being chapter 12 of the Statutes of Canada, 2000, hereby fixes January 1, 2004 as the day on which section 116 of that Act come into force.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order.)

This Order brings into force section 116 of the Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act, which received royal assent on June 29, 2000. The provision amends subsections 2(1) of the Firearms Act by adding a definition of common-law partner.

The Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act extends benefits and obligations under that Act to all couples who have been cohabiting in a conjugal relationship for at least one year, in order to reflect values of tolerance, respect and equality, consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

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