A third Act to harmonize federal law with the civil law of Quebec and to amend certain Acts in order to ensure that each language version takes into account the common law and the civil law

Short title: Federal Law-Civil Law Harmonization Act, No. 3 Bill S-12 (40-3) Status: At second reading in the House of Commons Type: Senate Government Bill Sponsor: Marjory LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the Senate Latest stage: First reading Legislative

summary <div>On October 2010, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-12, A third Act to harmonize federal law with the civil law of Quebec and to amend certain Acts in order to ensure that each language version takes into account the common law and the civil law (Federal Law-Civil Law Harmonization Act, No. 3) in the Senate and it was given first reading.<br/><br/>Bill S-12 seeks to make harmonization changes to statutes, including the

Canada Business Corporations Act and the Expropriation Act. This is the third harmonization bill to be tabled by the Government and it is part of the harmonization work that was begun by the Department of Justice Canada after the Civil Code of Québec came into force in 1994.<br/><br/>The coming into force in of the Civil Code of Québec, which replaced the Civil Code of Lower Canada, 1866, had a significant impact on the application of federal statutes and regulations that refer to the province's private law.

Harmonization of federal legislation with the civil law of Quebec was undertaken in order to prevent difficulties in applying federal legislation arising from the reform of the Civil Code of Québec.<br/><br/>Harmonization involves reviewing all federal legislation the application of which requires reliance on provincial private law. Where necessary, harmonization changes ensure that federal legislation integrates the terminology, concepts and institutions of Quebec civil law.

French common law terminology is also taken into account in this process.</div> House of Commons — First reading: Completed (2010-12-15) House of Commons — Second reading: No activity Senate — First reading: Completed (2010-10-20) Senate — Second reading: Completed (2010-11-18) Senate — Consideration in committee: Completed (2010-12-09) Senate — Third reading: Completed (2010-12-14) LEGISinfo: https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/40-3/s-12