Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act (S.C. 2013, c. 20)

Short Title

Marginal note:Short title

1 This Act may be cited as the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act.

Interpretation

Marginal note:Definitions

• 2 (1) The following definitions apply in this Act.

  council

  council, in relation to a First Nation, has the same meaning as the expression council of the band in subsection 2(1) of the Indian Act. (conseil)

  court

  court, unless otherwise indicated, means, in respect of a province, the court referred to in any of paragraphs (a) to (e) of the definition court in subsection 2(1) of the Divorce Act. (tribunal)

  designated judge

  designated judge, in respect of a province, means any of the following persons who are authorized by the lieutenant governor in council of the province to act as a designated judge for the purposes of this Act:

  • (a) a justice of the peace appointed by the lieutenant governor in council of the province;

  • (b) a judge of the court in the province; or

  • (c) a judge of a court established under the laws of the province. (juge désigné)

  family home

  family home means a structure — that need not be affixed but that must be situated on reserve land — where the spouses or common-law partners habitually reside or, if they have ceased to cohabit or one of them has died, where they habitually resided on the day on which they ceased to cohabit or the death occurred. If the structure is normally used for a purpose in addition to a residential purpose, this definition includes only the portion of the structure that may reasonably be regarded as necessary for the residential purpose. (foyer familial)

  First Nation

  First Nation means a band as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Indian Act. (première nation)

  First Nation member

  First Nation member means a person whose name appears on the band list of a First Nation or who is entitled to have their name appear on that list. (membre de la première nation)

  interest or right

  interest or right means

  • (a) the following interests or rights referred to in the Indian Act:

    • (i) a right to possession, with or without a Certificate of Possession or a Certificate of Occupation, allotted in accordance with section 20 of that Act,

    • (ii) a permit referred to in subsection 28(2) of that Act, and

    • (iii) a lease under section 53 or 58 of that Act;

  • (b) an interest or right in or to reserve land that is subject to any First Nation law as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management Act or to any land code within the meaning of subsection 2(2) of that Act, to any First Nation law enacted under a self-government agreement to which Her Majesty in right of Canada is a party, or to any land governance code adopted, or any Kanesatake Mohawk law enacted, under the Kanesatake Interim Land Base Governance Act; and

  • (c) an interest or right in or to a structure — that need not be affixed but that must be situated on reserve land that is not the object of an interest or right referred to in paragraph (a) — which interest or right is recognized by the First Nation on whose reserve the structure is situated or by a court order made under section 48. (droit ou intérêt)

  matrimonial interests or rights

  matrimonial interests or rights means interests or rights, other than interests or rights in or to the family home, held by at least one of the spouses or common-law partners

  • (a) that were acquired during the conjugal relationship;

  • (b) that were acquired before the conjugal relationship but in specific contemplation of the relationship; or

  • (c) that were acquired before the conjugal relationship but not in specific contemplation of the relationship and that appreciated during the relationship.

  It excludes interests or rights that were received from a person as a gift or legacy or on devise or descent, and interests or rights that can be traced to those interests or rights. (droits ou intérêts matrimoniaux)

  Minister

  Minister means the Minister of Indigenous Services. (ministre)

  peace officer

  peace officer means a person referred to in paragraph (c) of the definition peace officer in section 2 of the Criminal Code.  (agent de la paix)

  spouse

  spouse includes either of two persons who have entered in good faith into a marriage that is voidable or void. (époux)

• Marginal note:Words and expressions

  (2) Unless the context otherwise requires, words and expressions used in this Act have the same meaning as in the Indian Act.

• Marginal note:Agreement between spouses or common-law partners

  (3) For greater certainty, for the purposes of this Act, an agreement between spouses or common-law partners includes an agreement reached through the use of traditional dispute resolution.

• Marginal note:Former spouse or common-law partner

  (4) For the purposes of the definition matrimonial interests or rights in subsection (1), subsection (3), section 6, subsections 15(2), (4) and (5) and sections 16, 20, 26, 28 to 33, 43, 45, 48, 49 and 54, a spouse or common-law partner includes a former spouse or common-law partner.

• Marginal note:Term not restrictive

  (5) The use of the term application to describe a proceeding in a court under this Act must not be construed as limiting the name under which and the form and manner in which that proceeding may be taken in that court, and the name, manner and form of the proceeding in that court are those that are provided for by the rules regulating the practice and procedure in that court.

• Marginal note:Kanesatake

  (6) For the purposes of this Act, a reference to a reserve is also a reference to the Kanesatake Mohawk interim land base as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Kanesatake Interim Land Base Governance Act.

Her Majesty

Marginal note:Binding on Her Majesty

3 This Act is binding on Her Majesty in right of Canada or a province.

Purpose and Application

Marginal note:Purpose

4 The purpose of this Act is to provide for the enactment of First Nation laws and the establishment of provisional rules and procedures that apply during a conjugal relationship, when that relationship breaks down or on the death of a spouse or common-law partner, respecting the use, occupation and possession of family homes on First Nation reserves and the division of the value of any interests or rights held by spouses or common-law partners in or to structures and lands on those reserves.

Marginal note:Title to First Nation land

5 For greater certainty,

• (a) title to reserve lands is not affected by this Act;

• (b) reserve lands continue to be set apart for the use and benefit of the First Nation for which they were set apart; and

• (c) reserve lands continue to be lands reserved for the Indians within the meaning of Class 24 of section 91 of the Constitution Act, 1867.

Marginal note:Spouses or common-law partners

6 This Act applies to spouses or common-law partners only if at least one of them is a First Nation member or an Indian.

Enactment of First Nation Laws

Power of First Nations

Marginal note:Power to enact First Nation laws

• 7 (1) A First Nation has the power to enact First Nation laws that apply during a conjugal relationship, when that relationship breaks down or on the death of a spouse or common-law partner, respecting the use, occupation and possession of family homes on its reserves and the division of the value of any interests or rights held by spouses or common-law partners in or to structures and lands on its reserves.

• Marginal note:Contents

  (2) The laws must include procedures for amending and repealing them and may include

  • (a) provisions for administering them; and

  • (b) despite subsection 89(1) of the Indian Act, provisions for enforcing, on a reserve of the First Nation, an order of a court that includes one or more provisions made under the laws or a decision made or an agreement reached under the laws.

• Marginal note:Notice to provincial Attorney General

  (3) When a First Nation intends to enact laws, the council must so notify the Attorney General of any province in which a reserve of the First Nation is situated.

• Marginal note:Non-application of Statutory Instruments Act

  (4) The Statutory Instruments Act does not apply in respect of the laws.

Community Approval

Marginal note:Submission to members

• 8 (1) If a First Nation intends to enact First Nation laws under section 7, the council of the First Nation must submit the proposed First Nation laws to the First Nation members for their approval.

• Marginal note:Eligibility to vote

  (2) Every person who is 18 years of age or over and a member of the First Nation, whether or not resident on a reserve of the First Nation, is eligible to vote in the community approval process.

• Marginal note:Information to be provided

  (3) The council must, before proceeding to obtain community approval, take reasonable measures that are in accordance with the First Nation’s practices to locate voters and inform them of their right to vote, the means of exercising that right and the content of the proposed laws.

• Marginal note:Publication of notice

  (4) The council must publish a notice of the date, time and place of a vote.

Marginal note:Approval by members

• 9 (1) The proposed First Nation laws that have been submitted for community approval are approved if a majority of those who participated in the vote voted to approve them.

• Marginal note:Minimum participation

  (2) Despite subsection (1), the proposed laws are not approved unless at least 25 per cent of the eligible voters participated in the vote.

• Marginal note:Increased percentage

  (3) A council may, by resolution, increase the percentage of eligible voters required under subsection (2).

Marginal note:Approved laws

10 When a First Nation approves the proposed First Nation laws, its council must, without delay after the vote, inform the Minister in writing of the result of the vote and send a copy of the approved laws to the Minister, the organization designated by the Minister, if any, and the Attorney General of any province in which a reserve of the First Nation is situated.

Coming into Force

Marginal note:Force of law and judicial notice

• 11 (1) The First Nation laws come into force and have the force of law on the day on which they are approved or on any later day that may be specified in or under them and judicial notice must from then on be taken of the laws in any proceedings.

• Marginal note:Evidence of laws

  (2) In the absence of evidence to the contrary, a copy of the First Nation laws appearing to be certified as a true copy by an officer of the First Nation is proof of the original without proof of the officer’s signature or official character.

• Marginal note:Access to First Nation laws

  (3) A copy of the First Nation laws, as amended from time to time, must be maintained by the council for public inspection at locations designated by the council.

• Marginal note:Notice of amendments

  (4) If a First Nation amends its laws, the council must, without delay, send a copy of the amended laws to the Minister, the organization designated by the Minister, if any, and the Attorney General of any province in which a reserve of the First Nation is situated.

• Marginal note:Notice on repeal

  (5) If a First Nation repeals its laws, the council must, without delay and in writing, notify the Minister, the organization designated by the Minister, if any, and the Attorney General of any province in which a reserve of the First Nation is situated.

• Marginal note:List

  (6) The Minister must maintain a list of First Nations whose laws are in force and must publish in any manner that the Minister considers appropriate the list and any amendments to the list.

Provisional Federal Rules

Application

Marginal note:First Nations with reserve lands

• 12 (1) Sections 13 to 52 only apply to a First Nation that has reserve lands and that is not referred to in subsection (2) or (3) if the First Nation laws that it enacts under section 7 are not in force.

• Marginal note:Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management Act

  (2) Sections 13 to 52 apply to a First Nation, within the meaning of subsection 2(2) of the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management Act, only if

  • (a) on the day on which this subsection comes into force, the land code that the First Nation adopts under the Framework Agreement, as defined in subsection 2(1) of that Act, is not in force; and

  • (b) the First Nation laws that it enacts under section 7 of this Act or subclause 18.3 of that Framework Agreement are not in force.

• Marginal note:Self-governing First Nations that retain reserve land

  (3) Sections 13 to 52 only apply to a First Nation that has the power to manage its reserve land under a self-government agreement into which the First Nation has entered and to which Her Majesty in right of Canada is a party if

  • (a) on the recommendation of the parties to the agreement, the Minister makes a declaration, by order, that those sections apply to the First Nation; and

  • (b) the First Nation laws referred to in section 7 that it enacts under that section or under the self-government agreement are not in force.

• Marginal note:Declaration

  (4) In the declaration referred to in paragraph (3)(a), the Minister must specify that sections 13 to 52 apply to the First Nation until the First Nation laws referred to in section 7 that it enacts under that section or under the self-government agreement come into force.

• Marginal note:List

  (5) The Minister must maintain a list of First Nations in respect of which the Minister has made a declaration and must publish in any manner that the Minister considers appropriate the list and any amendments to the list.

• Marginal note:Notice on coming into force

  (6) If a First Nation in respect of which the Minister has made a declaration enacts the First Nation laws referred to in section 7 under that section or under the self-government agreement, and those laws come into force, the First Nation must notify the Minister in writing without delay.

Family Home

Occupation

Marginal note:During conjugal relationship

13 Each spouse or common-law partner may occupy the family home during the conjugal relationship, whether or not that person is a First Nation member or an Indian.

Marginal note:After death

14 When a spouse or common-law partner dies, a survivor who does not hold an interest or right in or to the family home may occupy that home for a period of 180 days after the day on which the death occurs, whether or not the survivor is a First Nation member or an Indian.

Marginal note:Consent of spouse or common-law partner

• 15 (1) Subject to the Indian Act, a spouse or common-law partner who holds an interest or right in or to the family home must not dispose of or encumber that interest or right during the conjugal relationship without the free and informed consent in writing of the other spouse or common-law partner, whether or not that person is a First Nation member or an Indian.

• Marginal note:Setting aside

  (2) If a spouse or common-law partner disposes of or encumbers their interest or right in or to the family home without the required consent of the other spouse or common-law partner, a court may, on application by the other spouse or common-law partner, by order, set aside the transaction and impose conditions on any future disposition or encumbrance of that interest or right by the spouse or common-law partner to whom the interest or right reverts.

• Marginal note:Exception

  (3) However, the disposition or encumbrance may not be set aside if the other contracting party acquired it for value and acted in good faith.

• Marginal note:Damages

  (4) A spouse or common-law partner who has not given consent to a transaction for which it was required may, without prejudice to any other right, claim damages from the other spouse or common-law partner.

• Marginal note:Proof of consent

  (5) The spouse or common-law partner who disposed of or encumbered the interest or right in or to the family home has the burden of proving that the other spouse or common-law partner consented to the disposition or encumbrance.

• Marginal note:Authorization

  (6) Subject to the Indian Act, a court may, on application by the spouse or common-law partner who holds an interest or right in or to the family home, by order, authorize that person, subject to any conditions that the court considers appropriate, to dispose of or encumber that interest or right without the required consent of the other spouse or common-law partner if the court is satisfied that the other spouse or common-law partner cannot be found, is not capable of consenting or is unreasonably withholding consent.

Emergency Protection Order

Marginal note:Order of designated judge

• 16 (1) On ex parte application by a spouse or common-law partner, a designated judge of the province in which the family home is situated may make an order for a period of up to 90 days that contains one or more of the provisions referred to in subsection (5) and that is subject to any conditions that the judge specifies, if the judge is satisfied that

  • (a) family violence has occurred; and

  • (b) the order should be made without delay, because of the seriousness or urgency of the situation, to ensure the immediate protection of the person who is at risk of harm or property that is at risk of damage.

• Marginal note:Applicant

  (2) The spouse or common-law partner may make the application even if that person has been forced to vacate the family home as a result of family violence.

• Marginal note:Acting on behalf of applicant

  (3) A peace officer or other person may also make the application on behalf of the spouse or common-law partner with that person’s consent, or if that person does not consent, with leave of the designated judge granted in accordance with the regulations.

• Marginal note:Considerations

  (4) In making the order, the designated judge must consider, among other things,

  • (a) the history and nature of the family violence;

  • (b) the existence of immediate danger to the person who is at risk of harm or property that is at risk of damage;

  • (c) the best interests of any child in the charge of either spouse or common-law partner, including the interest of any child who is a First Nation member to maintain a connection with that First Nation;

  • (d) the interests of any elderly person or person with a disability who habitually resides in the family home and for whom either spouse or common-law partner is the caregiver;

  • (e) the fact that a person, other than the spouses or common-law partners, holds an interest or right in or to the family home;

  • (f) the period during which the applicant has habitually resided on the reserve; and

  • (g) the existence of exceptional circumstances that necessitate the removal of a person other than the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner from the family home in order to give effect to the granting to the applicant of exclusive occupation of that home, including the fact that the person has committed acts or omissions referred to in subsection (9) against the applicant, any child in the charge of either spouse or common-law partner, or any other person who habitually resides in the family home.

• Marginal note:Content of order

  (5) The order may contain

  • (a) a provision granting the applicant exclusive occupation of the family home and reasonable access to that home;

  • (b) a provision requiring the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner and any specified person who habitually resides in the family home — whether or not they are First Nation members or Indians — to vacate the family home, immediately or within a specified period, and prohibiting them from re-entering the home;

  • (c) a provision directing a peace officer, immediately or within a specified period, to remove the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner and any specified person who habitually resides in the family home — whether or not they are First Nation members or Indians — from the family home;

  • (d) a provision prohibiting any person who is required to vacate the family home under a provision referred to in paragraph (b) from attending near the family home;

  • (e) a provision directing a peace officer, within a specified period, to accompany the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner or any specified person to the family home or other location in order to supervise the removal of personal belongings; and

  • (f) any other provision that the designated judge considers necessary for the immediate protection of the person who is at risk of harm or property that is at risk of damage.

• Marginal note:Notice of order

  (6) Any person against whom the order is made and any person specified in the order are bound by the order on receiving notice of it.

• Marginal note:Service by peace officer

  (7) A peace officer must serve a copy of the order on the persons referred to in subsection (6) either directly or, if authorized by the court in the province in which the designated judge has jurisdiction, by substituted service in the manner, under the circumstances and on the conditions prescribed by regulation. The peace officer must inform the applicant as soon as each service is effected.

• Marginal note:No personal liability

  (8) An action or other proceeding must not be instituted against a peace officer for any act or omission done in good faith in the execution or intended execution of the peace officer’s duties under this section.

• Definition of family violence

  (9) For the purposes of this section, family violence means any of the following acts or omissions committed by a spouse or common-law partner against the other spouse or common-law partner, any child in the charge of either spouse or common-law partner, or any other person who habitually resides in the family home:

  • (a) an intentional application of force without lawful authority or consent, excluding any act committed in self-defence;

  • (b) an intentional or reckless act or omission that causes bodily harm or damage to property;

  • (c) an intentional, reckless or threatened act or omission that causes a reasonable fear of bodily harm or damage to property;

  • (d) sexual assault, sexual abuse or the threat of either;

  • (e) forcible confinement without lawful authority; or

  • (f) criminal harassment.

Marginal note:Order sent to court for review

• 17 (1) Immediately after making an order under section 16, a designated judge referred to in paragraph (a) or (c) of the definition designated judge in subsection 2(1) must forward a copy of the order and all supporting materials to the court in the province in which the designated judge has jurisdiction.

• Marginal note:Review by court

  (2) The court must review the order within three working days after the day on which it is received or, if a judge is not available within that period, as soon as one becomes available.

• Marginal note:Decision

  (3) The court, on reviewing the order and the materials, must, by order,

  • (a) confirm the order if the court is satisfied that there was sufficient evidence before the designated judge to support the making of the order; or

  • (b) direct a rehearing of the matter by the court if the court is not satisfied that the evidence before the designated judge was sufficient to support the making of all or part of the order.

• Marginal note:Notice

  (4) The court must give notice to the parties and any person specified in the order made by the designated judge of its decision and of any consequent procedures.

• Marginal note:Confirmed order

  (5) An order that is confirmed is deemed to be an order of the court.

• Marginal note:Rehearing — order continues

  (6) If the court directs that a matter be reheard, the order continues in effect and is not stayed unless the court orders otherwise.

• Marginal note:Evidence at rehearing

  (7) The materials referred to in subsection (1) must be considered as evidence at the rehearing, in addition to any evidence presented at the rehearing, including evidence on the collective interests of the First Nation members, on whose reserve the family home is situated, in their reserve lands.

• Marginal note:Order on rehearing

  (8) On a rehearing, the court may, by order, confirm, vary or revoke the order made under section 16, and may extend the duration of the order beyond the period of 90 days referred to in subsection 16(1).

• Marginal note:Section 18 application

  (9) If an application is made under section 18 and a rehearing has been ordered but has not begun, that application must be heard at the rehearing.

Marginal note:Application to vary or revoke order

• 18 (1) Any person in whose favour or against whom an order is made under section 16 or 17 or any person specified in the order may apply to the court in the province in which the designated judge has jurisdiction to have the order varied or revoked

  • (a) within 21 days after the day on which notice of the order made under section 16 is received, or within any further time that the court allows; and

  • (b) at any time if there has been a material change in circumstances.

• Marginal note:Confirm, vary or revoke order

  (2) The court may, by order, confirm, vary or revoke the order, and may extend the duration of the order beyond the period of 90 days referred to in subsection 16(1).

• Marginal note:Evidence at hearing

  (3) The supporting materials for the order made by the designated judge must be considered as evidence at the hearing, in addition to any evidence presented at the hearing, including evidence on the collective interests of the First Nation members, on whose reserve the family home is situated, in their reserve lands.

Marginal note:Confidentiality

• 19 (1) Subject to subsection (2), on application by the parties or on its own motion, the court in the province in which the designated judge has jurisdiction may make an order that contains one or more of the following provisions and that is subject to any conditions that the court specifies:

  • (a) a provision excluding members of the public, other than the parties, from all or part of a rehearing referred to in section 17 or a hearing referred to in section 18;

  • (b) a provision prohibiting the publication or broadcasting of any information from the rehearing or hearing, including the name of a party, witness or child in the charge of either party or any information likely to identify any of those persons; and

  • (c) a provision prohibiting disclosure to the public of any information in a court document or record related to a proceeding under section 17 or 18.

• Marginal note:Conditions

  (2) The court may only make the order if it is satisfied that

  • (a) the order is necessary for the safety of a party or witness or the safety or physical or emotional well-being of a child; or

  • (b) protecting a party, witness or child from an undue hardship or adverse effect that could be caused by making the information public outweighs the public’s right to the information.

Exclusive Occupation Order

Marginal note:Court order

• 20 (1) A court may, on application by a spouse or common-law partner whether or not that person is a First Nation member or an Indian, order that the applicant be granted exclusive occupation of the family home and reasonable access to that home, subject to any conditions and for the period that the court specifies.

• Marginal note:Interim order

  (2) The court may make, on application by either spouse or common-law partner, an interim order to the same effect, pending the determination of the application under subsection (1).

• Marginal note:Considerations

  (3) In making an order under this section, the court must consider, among other things,

  • (a) the best interests of any children who habitually reside in the family home, including the interest of any child who is a First Nation member to maintain a connection with that First Nation;

  • (b) the terms of any agreement between the spouses or common-law partners;

  • (c) the collective interests of First Nation members in their reserve lands and the representations made by the council of the First Nation on whose reserve the family home is situated with respect to the cultural, social and legal context that pertains to the application;

  • (d) the period during which the applicant has habitually resided on the reserve;

  • (e) the financial situation and the medical condition of the spouses or common-law partners;

  • (f) the availability of other suitable accommodation that is situated on the reserve;

  • (g) any existing order made on a matter related to the consequences of the breakdown of the conjugal relationship;

  • (h) any family violence;

  • (i) any acts or omissions by one of the spouses or common-law partners that reasonably constitute psychological abuse against the other spouse or common-law partner, any child in the charge of either spouse or common-law partner, or any other family member who habitually resides in the family home;

  • (j) the existence of exceptional circumstances that necessitate the removal of a person other than the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner from the family home in order to give effect to the granting to the applicant of exclusive occupation of that home, including the fact that the person has committed acts or omissions that constitute family violence, or reasonably constitute psychological abuse, against the applicant, any child in the charge of either spouse or common-law partner, or any other family member who habitually resides in the family home;

  • (k) the interests of any elderly person or person with a disability who habitually resides in the family home and for whom either spouse or common-law partner is the caregiver;

  • (l) the fact that a person, other than the spouses or common-law partners, holds an interest or right in or to the family home; and

  • (m) the views of any person who received a copy of the application, presented to the court in any form that the court allows.

• Marginal note:Content of order

  (4) An order made under this section may contain provisions such as

  • (a) a provision requiring the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner and any specified person — whether or not they are First Nation members or Indians — to vacate the family home, immediately or within a specified period, and prohibiting them from re-entering the home;

  • (b) a provision requiring the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner to preserve the condition of the family home until that person vacates it;

  • (c) a provision directing the applicant to make payments to the other spouse or common-law partner toward the cost of other accommodation; and

  • (d) a provision requiring either spouse or common-law partner to pay for all or part of the repair and maintenance of the family home and of other liabilities arising in respect of the family home, or to make payments to the other spouse or common-law partner for those purposes.

• Marginal note:Emergency protection order revoked

  (5) An existing order made under any of sections 16 to 18 in favour of or against one of the spouses or common-law partners is revoked when the court makes an order under this section, except to the extent specified in that order.

• Marginal note:Application to vary or revoke order

  (6) Any person in whose favour or against whom an order is made under subsection (1), any person specified in the order, or the holder of an interest or right in or to the family home may apply to the court to have the order varied or revoked if there has been a material change in circumstances. The court may, by order, confirm, vary or revoke the order.

• Marginal note:Notice to affected persons

  (7) An applicant for an order under this section must, without delay, send a copy of the application to any person who is of the age of majority or over, whom the applicant is seeking to have the court order to vacate the family home, to any person who holds an interest or right in or to the family home and to any other person specified in the rules regulating the practice and procedure in the court.

Marginal note:Order after death

• 21 (1) A court may, on application by a survivor whether or not that person is a First Nation member or an Indian, order that the survivor be granted exclusive occupation of the family home and reasonable access to that home, subject to any conditions and for the period that the court specifies.

• Marginal note:Interim order

  (2) The court may make, on application by the survivor, an interim order to the same effect, pending the determination of the application under subsection (1).

• Marginal note:Considerations

  (3) In making an order under this section, the court must consider, among other things,

  • (a) the best interests of any children who habitually reside in the family home, including the interest of any child who is a First Nation member to maintain a connection with that First Nation;

  • (b) the terms of the will;

  • (c) the terms of any agreement between the spouses or common-law partners;

  • (d) the collective interests of First Nation members in their reserve lands and the representations made by the council of the First Nation on whose reserve the family home is situated with respect to the cultural, social and legal context that pertains to the application;

  • (e) the medical condition of the survivor;

  • (f) the period during which the survivor has habitually resided on the reserve;

  • (g) the fact that the family home is the only property of significant value in the estate;

  • (h) the interests of any person who holds or will hold an interest or right in or to the family home;

  • (i) the interests of any elderly person or person with a disability who habitually resides in the family home and for whom the survivor is the caregiver;

  • (j) the existence of exceptional circumstances that necessitate the removal of a person from the family home in order to give effect to the granting to the survivor of exclusive occupation of that home, including the fact that the person has committed acts or omissions that constitute family violence, or reasonably constitute psychological abuse, against the survivor, any child in the charge of the survivor, or any other family member who habitually resides in the family home; and

  • (k) the views of any person who received a copy of the application, presented to the court in any form that the court allows.

• Marginal note:Content of order

  (4) An order made under this section may contain provisions such as

  • (a) a provision requiring the survivor to preserve the condition of the family home;

  • (b) a provision requiring any specified person, whether or not that person holds an interest or right in or to the family home, to vacate it immediately or within a specified period, and prohibiting them from re-entering the home; and

  • (c) a provision requiring the executor of the will, the administrator of the estate or the holder of an interest or right in or to the family home to pay for all or part of the repair and maintenance of the family home and of other liabilities arising in respect of it.

• Marginal note:Notice of order

  (5) The survivor must, without delay, give notice of an order made under this section to those who received a copy of the application. However, a peace officer must serve a copy of the order on those persons if the court so directs.

• Marginal note:Application to vary or revoke order

  (6) The survivor, the executor of the will or the administrator of the estate, any person specified in an order made under subsection (1) or the holder of an interest or right in or to the family home may apply to the court to have that order varied or revoked if there has been a material change in circumstances. The court may, by order, confirm, vary or revoke the order.

• Marginal note:Notice to affected persons

  (7) An applicant for an order under this section must, without delay, send a copy of the application to the executor of the will or the administrator of the estate, if the applicant knows who those persons are, to the Minister, to any person who is of the age of majority or over, whom the applicant is seeking to have the court order to vacate the family home, to any person who holds an interest or right in or to the family home and to any other person specified in the rules regulating the practice and procedure in the court.

Other Provisions

Marginal note:Family violence

22 For greater certainty, a designated judge or a court may find that family violence has occurred for the purposes of this Act whether or not, in respect of the act or omission in question, a charge has been laid, dismissed or withdrawn or a conviction has been or could be obtained.

Marginal note:Interest or right not affected

23 For greater certainty, an order made under any of sections 16 to 18, 20 or 21 does not change who holds an interest or right in or to the family home nor does it prevent an executor of a will or an administrator of an estate from transferring such an interest or right to a named beneficiary under the will or to a beneficiary on intestacy, or a court from ordering the transfer of such an interest or right under section 31 or 36.

Marginal note:Notice

24 The person in whose favour an order is made under section 17, 18 or 20 must, without delay, give notice of the order to any person against whom the order is made and any person specified in the order. However, a peace officer must serve a copy of the order on those persons if the court so directs.

Marginal note:Contiguous property

25 For the purposes of sections 16, 20 and 21, if the reserve land on which the family home is situated is the object of an interest or right referred to in subparagraph (a)(i) of the definition interest or right in subsection 2(1), exclusive occupation of the family home includes exclusive occupation of the portion of that land that is contiguous to the family home and that is strictly necessary for the use and enjoyment of the family home.

Marginal note:Leases

26 When an order made under any of sections 16 to 18, 20 or 21 grants exclusive occupation of the family home to a spouse, common-law partner or survivor who is not a lessee under the lease for the family home, the spouse, common-law partner or survivor is bound by the lease during the period of the order.

Marginal note:Offence

27 Any person who contravenes an order made under any of sections 16 to 19, a provision referred to in paragraph 20(4)(a) contained in an order made under section 20 or a provision referred to in paragraph 21(4)(b) contained in an order made under section 21 is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable

• (a) in the case of a first offence, to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to both; or

• (b) in the case of a subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or to both.

Division of the Value of Matrimonial Interests or Rights

Breakdown of a Conjugal Relationship

Marginal note:Division of value

• 28 (1) When a conjugal relationship breaks down, each spouse or common-law partner is entitled, on application made under section 30, to an amount equal to one half of the value, on the valuation date, of the interest or right that is held by at least one of them in or to the family home and to the amounts referred to in subsections (2) and (3).

• Marginal note:First Nation members

  (2) A spouse or common-law partner who is a member of the First Nation on whose reserve are situated any structures and lands that are the object of interests or rights that are held by the other spouse or common-law partner is also entitled to an amount equal to the total of

  • (a) one half of the value, on the valuation date, of matrimonial interests or rights referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of the definition matrimonial interests or rights in subsection 2(1) that are held by the other spouse or common-law partner in or to structures and lands situated on a reserve of that First Nation,

  • (b) the greater of

    • (i) one half of the appreciation in value, between the day on which the conjugal relationship began and the valuation date inclusive, of matrimonial interests or rights referred to in paragraph (c) of that definition that are held by the other spouse or common-law partner in or to structures and lands situated on a reserve of that First Nation, and

    • (ii) the difference between the payments that the spouse or common-law partner made towards improvements made, between the day on which the conjugal relationship began and the valuation date inclusive, to structures and lands situated on a reserve of that First Nation that are the object of matrimonial interests or rights referred to in that paragraph (c) that are held by the other spouse or common-law partner, and the amount of debts or other liabilities outstanding on the valuation date that were assumed to make the payments, and

  • (c) the difference between the payments that the spouse or common-law partner made towards improvements made, between the day on which the conjugal relationship began and the valuation date inclusive, to structures and lands situated on a reserve of that First Nation that are the object of interests or rights that are held by the other spouse or common-law partner that would have been matrimonial interests or rights referred to in that paragraph (c) if they had appreciated during the conjugal relationship, and the amount of debts or other liabilities outstanding on the valuation date that were assumed to make the payments.

• Marginal note:Non-members

  (3) A spouse or common-law partner who is not a member of the First Nation on whose reserve are situated any structures and lands that are the object of interests or rights that are held by the other spouse or common-law partner is also entitled to an amount equal to the total of

  • (a) one half of the value, on the valuation date, of matrimonial interests or rights referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of the definition matrimonial interests or rights in subsection 2(1) that are held by the other spouse or common-law partner in or to structures situated on a reserve of that First Nation,

  • (b) the greater of

    • (i) one half of the appreciation in value, between the day on which the conjugal relationship began and the valuation date inclusive, of matrimonial interests or rights referred to in paragraph (c) of that definition that are held by the other spouse or common-law partner in or to structures situated on a reserve of that First Nation, and

    • (ii) the difference between the payments that the spouse or common-law partner made towards improvements made, between the day on which the conjugal relationship began and the valuation date inclusive, to structures situated on a reserve of that First Nation that are the object of matrimonial interests or rights referred to in that paragraph (c) that are held by the other spouse or common-law partner, and the amount of debts or other liabilities outstanding on the valuation date that were assumed to make the payments, and

  • (c) the difference between the payments that the spouse or common-law partner made towards improvements made, between the day on which the conjugal relationship began and the valuation date inclusive, to the following lands and structures situated on a reserve of that First Nation, and the amount of debts or other liabilities outstanding on the valuation date that were assumed to make the payments:

    • (i) lands that are the object of matrimonial interests or rights that are held by the other spouse or common-law partner, and

    • (ii) structures that are the object of interests or rights that are held by the other spouse or common-law partner that would have been matrimonial interests or rights referred to in that paragraph (c) if they had appreciated during the conjugal relationship.

• Marginal note:Determination of value

  (4) For the purposes of subsections (1) to (3), the value of the interests or rights is the difference between

  • (a) the amount that a buyer would reasonably be expected to pay for interests or rights that are comparable to the interests or rights in question, and

  • (b) the amount of any outstanding debts or other liabilities assumed for acquiring the interests or rights or for improving or maintaining the structures and lands that are the object of the interests or rights.

• Marginal note:Agreement by parties

  (5) Despite subsection (4), on agreement by the spouses or common-law partners, the value of the interests or rights may be determined on any other basis.

• Definition of valuation date

  (6) For the purposes of this section, valuation date means

  • (a) in the case of spouses, the earliest of the following days:

    • (i) the day on which the spouses separated with no reasonable prospect of reconciliation,

    • (ii) the day on which the judgment granting their divorce was rendered,

    • (iii) the day on which the marriage was declared a nullity,

    • (iv) the day on which one of the spouses made an application related to the consequences of the breakdown of the marriage, and

    • (v) the day on which one of the spouses made an application to restrain improvident depletion of the interest or right in or to the family home and of the matrimonial interests or rights that is subsequently granted; or

  • (b) in the case of common-law partners, the earliest of the following days:

    • (i) the day on which one of the common-law partners manifested the intention not to continue the conjugal relationship,

    • (ii) the day on which one of the common-law partners made an application related to the consequences of the breakdown of the conjugal relationship, and

    • (iii) the day on which one of the common-law partners made an application to restrain improvident depletion of the interest or right in or to the family home and of the matrimonial interests or rights that is subsequently granted.

Marginal note:Variation of amount

29 On application by a spouse or common-law partner, a court may, by order, vary the amount owed to or by the applicant under section 28 if that amount would be unconscionable, having regard to, among other things,

• (a) the applicant’s financial responsibility related to the care and upbringing of the children in the applicant’s charge;

• (b) the amount of debts or other liabilities referred to in that section incurred by each spouse or common-law partner;

• (c) any significant change in the value of the interests or rights in question between the valuation date as defined in subsection 28(6) and the day on which the order is made, inclusive;

• (d) the fact that one of the spouses or common-law partners may obtain exclusive occupation of the family home on agreement or under an order referred to in section 20;

• (e) the availability of accommodation that is comparable to the family home and that is situated on the same reserve as the family home;

• (f) the duration of the conjugal relationship;

• (g) the terms of any agreement between the spouses or common-law partners;

• (h) the reduction of the value of the interests or rights in question as a result of acts or omissions by the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner including the disposition of any such interest or right for less than its fair value, the improvident depletion of any such interest or right, the disposition or encumbrance of the interest or right in or to the family home without the applicant’s required consent, and the encumbrance of that interest or right after the valuation date as defined in subsection 28(6); or

• (i) other determinations that the court may make on any matters related to the consequences of the breakdown of the conjugal relationship.

Marginal note:Amount payable

• 30 (1) On application by one of the spouses or common-law partners made within three years after the day on which they ceased to cohabit, a court may, by order, determine any matter in respect of each spouse’s or common-law partner’s entitlement under sections 28 and 29 including

  • (a) determining the amount payable by one spouse or common-law partner to the other; and

  • (b) providing that the amount payable be settled by

    • (i) payment of the amount in a lump sum,

    • (ii) payment of the amount by installments,

    • (iii) the transfer of an interest or right under an order referred to in section 31,

    • (iv) the set-off or compensation of any amounts owed by one spouse or common-law partner to the other, or

    • (v) any combination of the methods referred to in subparagraphs (i) to (iv).

• Marginal note:Extension of time

  (2) On application by a spouse or common-law partner, a court may, by order, extend the period of three years by any amount of time that it considers appropriate, if the court is satisfied that the applicant failed to make an application within that period for either of the following reasons:

  • (a) circumstances existed that were beyond the control of the applicant; or

  • (b) only after the period expired did the applicant become aware of any interests or rights referred to in subsections 28(1) to (3).

Marginal note:Order to transfer interests or rights

• 31 (1) When a conjugal relationship breaks down, a court may, on application by a spouse or common-law partner who is a First Nation member, order that an interest or right, referred to in subparagraph (a)(i) or paragraph (b) or (c) of the definition interest or right in subsection 2(1), in or to any structure or land situated on a reserve of that First Nation be transferred to the applicant if the court is satisfied that

  • (a) the spouses or common-law partners agreed in writing to the transfer of the interest or right, the consent of both parties was free and informed and the agreement is not unconscionable, having regard to, among other things, the factors listed in section 29;

  • (b) the applicant had previously held the interest or right before the cessation of cohabitation; or

  • (c) the transfer is appropriate in the circumstances because the spouses or common-law partners hold more than one such interest or right in or to structures and lands situated on a reserve of that First Nation.

• Marginal note:Clarification

  (2) A transfer may be ordered under subsection (1)

  • (a) in the case of a First Nation that is not referred to in any of paragraphs (b) to (d), despite section 24 of the Indian Act;

  • (b) in the case of a First Nation within the meaning of subsection 2(2) of the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management Act, subject to any land code within the meaning of that subsection or First Nation law as defined in subsection 2(1) of that Act, to which the First Nation is subject;

  • (c) in the case of a First Nation that has entered into a self-government agreement to which Her Majesty in right of Canada is a party, subject to any First Nation law enacted under the agreement; or

  • (d) in the case of the Mohawks of Kanesatake, subject to any land governance code adopted, or any Kanesatake Mohawk law enacted, under the Kanesatake Interim Land Base Governance Act.

Marginal note:Improvident depletion

32 On application by a spouse or common-law partner, a court may make any order that it considers necessary to restrain the improvident depletion of the interest or right in or to the family home and of the matrimonial interests or rights for the purpose of protecting

• (a) the right that might be granted to the applicant in an order made under section 20 or any interest or right that might be transferred to the applicant in an order made under section 31; or

• (b) the value of the interests or rights that will be used to determine the amount that might be payable to the applicant in an order made under section 30.

Marginal note:Enforcement of agreements

33 If spouses or common-law partners enter into a written agreement, after they cease to cohabit, that sets out the amount to which each is entitled and how to settle the amount payable by one of the methods referred to in subparagraph 30(1)(b)(i), (ii) or (iv) or any combination of those methods, a court may, on application by one of them, make an order to enforce that agreement if the court is satisfied that the consent of both parties to the agreement was free and informed, and that the agreement is not unconscionable, having regard to, among other things, the factors listed in section 29.

Death of a Spouse or Common-Law Partner

Marginal note:Entitlement of survivor

• 34 (1) On the death of a spouse or common-law partner, the survivor is entitled, on application made under section 36, to an amount equal to one half of the value, on the valuation date, of the interest or right that was held by the deceased individual in or to the family home and to the amounts referred to in subsections (2) and (3).

• Marginal note:First Nation members

  (2) A survivor who is a member of the First Nation on whose reserve are situated any structures and lands that are the object of interests or rights that were held by the deceased individual is also entitled to an amount equal to the total of

  • (a) one half of the value, on the valuation date, of matrimonial interests or rights referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of the definition matrimonial interests or rights in subsection 2(1) that were held by the deceased individual in or to structures and lands situated on a reserve of that First Nation,

  • (b) the greater of

    • (i) one half of the appreciation in value, between the day on which the conjugal relationship began and the valuation date inclusive, of matrimonial interests or rights referred to in paragraph (c) of that definition that were held by the deceased individual in or to structures and lands situated on a reserve of that First Nation, and

    • (ii) the difference between the payments that the survivor made towards improvements made, between the day on which the conjugal relationship began and the valuation date inclusive, to structures and lands situated on a reserve of that First Nation that are the object of matrimonial interests or rights referred to in that paragraph (c) that were held by the deceased individual, and the amount of debts or other liabilities outstanding on the valuation date that were assumed to make the payments, and

  • (c) the difference between the payments that the survivor made towards improvements made, between the day on which the conjugal relationship began and the valuation date inclusive, to structures and lands situated on a reserve of that First Nation that are the object of interests or rights that were held by the deceased individual that would have been matrimonial interests or rights referred to in that paragraph (c) if they had appreciated during the conjugal relationship, and the amount of debts or other liabilities outstanding on the valuation date that were assumed to make the payments.

• Marginal note:Non-members

  (3) A survivor who is not a member of the First Nation on whose reserve are situated any structures and lands that are the object of interests or rights that were held by the deceased individual is also entitled to an amount equal to the total of

  • (a) one half of the value, on the valuation date, of matrimonial interests or rights referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of the definition matrimonial interests or rights in subsection 2(1) that were held by the deceased individual in or to structures situated on a reserve of that First Nation,

  • (b) the greater of

    • (i) one half of the appreciation in value, between the day on which the conjugal relationship began and the valuation date inclusive, of matrimonial interests or rights referred to in paragraph (c) of that definition that were held by the deceased individual in or to structures situated on a reserve of that First Nation, and

    • (ii) the difference between the payments that the survivor made towards improvements made, between the day on which the conjugal relationship began and the valuation date inclusive, to structures situated on a reserve of that First Nation that are the object of matrimonial interests or rights referred to in that paragraph (c) that were held by the deceased individual, and the amount of debts or other liabilities outstanding on the valuation date that were assumed to make the payments, and

  • (c) the difference between the payments that the survivor made towards improvements made, between the day on which the conjugal relationship began and the valuation date inclusive, to the following lands and structures situated on a reserve of that First Nation, and the amount of debts or other liabilities outstanding on the valuation date that were assumed to make the payments:

    • (i) lands that are the object of matrimonial interests or rights that were held by the deceased individual, and

    • (ii) structures that are the object of interests or rights that were held by the deceased individual that would have been matrimonial interests or rights referred to in that paragraph (c) if they had appreciated during the conjugal relationship.

• Marginal note:Determination of value

  (4) For the purposes of subsections (1) to (3), the value of the interests or rights is the difference between

  • (a) the amount that a buyer would reasonably be expected to pay for interests or rights that are comparable to the interests or rights in question, and

  • (b) the amount of any outstanding debts or other liabilities assumed for acquiring the interests or rights or for improving or maintaining the structures and lands that are the object of the interests or rights.

• Marginal note:Agreement by parties

  (5) Despite subsection (4), on agreement by the survivor and the executor of the will or the administrator of the estate, the value of the interests or rights may be determined on any other basis.

• Definition of valuation date

  (6) For the purposes of this section, valuation date means

  • (a) in the case of spouses, the earliest of the following days:

    • (i) the day before the day on which the death occurred,

    • (ii) the day on which the spouses ceased to cohabit as a result of the breakdown of the marriage, and

    • (iii) the day on which the spouse who is now the survivor made an application to restrain improvident depletion of the interest or right in or to the family home and of the matrimonial interests or rights that is subsequently granted; or

  • (b) in the case of common-law partners, the earlier of the following days:

    • (i) the day before the day on which the death occurred, and

    • (ii) the day on which the common-law partner who is now the survivor made an application to restrain improvident depletion of the interest or right in or to the family home and of the matrimonial interests or rights that is subsequently granted.

Marginal note:Variation of amount

35 On application by an executor of a will or an administrator of an estate, a court may, by order, vary the amount owed to the survivor under section 34 if the spouses or common-law partners had previously resolved the consequences of the breakdown of the conjugal relationship by agreement or judicial decision, or if that amount would be unconscionable, having regard to, among other things, the fact that any children of the deceased individual would not be adequately provided for.

Marginal note:Determination by court

• 36 (1) On application by a survivor made within 10 months after the day on which the death of their spouse or common-law partner occurs, a court may, by order, determine any matter in respect of the survivor’s entitlement under sections 34 and 35 including

  • (a) determining the amount payable to the survivor; and

  • (b) providing that the amount payable to the survivor be settled by

    • (i) payment of the amount in a lump sum,

    • (ii) payment of the amount by installments,

    • (iii) if the survivor is a First Nation member, by the transfer of an interest or right, referred to in subparagraph (a)(i) or paragraph (b) or (c) of the definition interest or right in subsection 2(1), in or to any structure or land situated on a reserve of that First Nation, or

    • (iv) any combination of the methods referred to in subparagraphs (i) to (iii).

• Marginal note:Extension of time

  (2) On application by the survivor, a court may, by order, extend the period of 10 months by any amount of time that it considers appropriate, if the court is satisfied that the survivor failed to make an application within that period for any of the following reasons:

  • (a) the survivor did not know of the death of their spouse or common-law partner until after the period expired;

  • (b) circumstances existed that were beyond the control of the survivor; or

  • (c) only after the period expired did the applicant become aware of any interests or rights referred to in subsections 34(1) to (3).

• Marginal note:Clarification

  (3) A transfer may be ordered under subsection (1)

  • (a) in the case of a First Nation that is not referred to in any of paragraphs (b) to (d), despite sections 24 and 49 of the Indian Act;

  • (b) in the case of a First Nation within the meaning of subsection 2(2) of the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management Act, subject to any land code within the meaning of that subsection or First Nation law as defined in subsection 2(1) of that Act to which the First Nation is subject;

  • (c) in the case of a First Nation that has entered into a self-government agreement to which Her Majesty in right of Canada is a party, subject to any First Nation law enacted under the agreement; or

  • (d) in the case of the Mohawks of Kanesatake, subject to any land governance code adopted, or any Kanesatake Mohawk law enacted, under the Kanesatake Interim Land Base Governance Act.

• Marginal note:Variation of trust

  (4) On application by a survivor, an executor of a will or an administrator of an estate, the court may, by order, vary the terms of a trust that is established under the terms of the deceased individual’s will so that the amount that is payable to the survivor may be paid.

• Marginal note:Notice to affected persons

  (5) An applicant for an order under this section must, without delay, send a copy of the application to the following persons, to the Minister and to any other person specified in the rules regulating the practice and procedure in the court:

  • (a) in the case where the applicant is the survivor, to the executor of the will or the administrator of the estate, if the applicant knows who those persons are; or

  • (b) in the case where the applicant is the executor of a will or an administrator of an estate, to the survivor.

• Marginal note:Notice to beneficiaries

  (6) On receipt of the copy of the application, the executor of the will or the administrator of the estate or, if neither has been appointed, the Minister must, without delay, send a copy of the application to the named beneficiaries under the will and the beneficiaries on intestacy.

Marginal note:Survivor’s choice

37 If a court decides, after the death of a spouse or common-law partner, that an amount is payable to the survivor under section 30 or 36, the survivor may not, in respect of the interest or right in or to the family home and of the matrimonial interests or rights, benefit from the deceased individual’s will or sections 48 to 50.1 of the Indian Act.

Marginal note:Distribution of estate

• 38 (1) Subject to subsection (2), an executor of a will or an administrator of an estate must not proceed with the distribution of the estate until one of the following occurs:

  • (a) the survivor consents in writing to the proposed distribution;

  • (b) the period of 10 months referred to in subsection 36(1) and any extended period the court may have granted under subsection 36(2) have expired and no application has been made under subsection 36(1) within those periods; or

  • (c) an application made under subsection 36(1) is disposed of.

• Marginal note:Advances to dependants

  (2) Subsection (1) does not prohibit reasonable advances to survivors or other dependants of the deceased spouse or common-law partner for their support.

• Marginal note:Two survivors

  (3) When there are two survivors — a common-law partner and a spouse with whom the deceased individual was no longer cohabiting — and an amount is payable to both under an order referred to in section 36, the executor of the will or the administrator of the estate must pay the survivor who was the common-law partner before paying the survivor who was the spouse.

Marginal note:Improvident depletion

39 On application by a survivor, a court may make any order that it considers necessary to restrain the improvident depletion of the interest or right in or to the family home and of the matrimonial interests or rights for the purpose of protecting

• (a) the right that might be granted to the survivor in an order made under section 21 or any interest or right that might be transferred to the applicant in an order made under section 36; or

• (b) the value of the interests or rights that will be used to determine the amount that might be payable to the survivor in an order made under section 36.

Marginal note:Enforcement of agreements

40 If a survivor and the executor of the will or the administrator of the estate enter into a written agreement that sets out the amount to which the survivor is entitled and how to settle the amount payable by one or both of the methods referred to in subparagraph 36(1)(b)(i) or (ii), a court may, on application by one of them, make an order to enforce that agreement if the court is satisfied that the consent of the survivor to the agreement was free and informed and that the agreement is not unconscionable.

Notice to Council and Views of Council

Marginal note:Notice of application

• 41 (1) An applicant for an order under this Act, except under sections 16 and 19, must, without delay, send a copy of the application to the council of any First Nation on whose reserve the structures and lands in question are situated.

• Marginal note:Representations by council

  (2) On the council’s request, the court that is seized of the application must, before making its decision, allow the council to make representations with respect to the cultural, social and legal context that pertains to the application and to present its views about whether or not the order should be made.

Marginal note:Notice of order

42 When the court makes an order under this Act, except under section 19, the person in whose favour the order is made must send, without delay, a copy of the order to the council of any First Nation on whose reserve the structures and lands in question are situated.

Jurisdiction of Courts

Definition of application

• 43 (1) For the purposes of this section, application means an application made under any of sections 15, 20, 29 to 33, 48 or 52.

• Marginal note:Divorce proceeding pending

  (2) When a divorce proceeding — as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Divorce Act — between spouses is pending, the court that has jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter has jurisdiction to hear and determine an application by one of the spouses.

• Marginal note:Other proceedings pending

  (3) When a proceeding, other than a divorce proceeding, related to the consequences of the breakdown of a spouse’s or common-law partner’s conjugal relationship is pending, the court that is seized of the matter has jurisdiction to hear and determine an application by the spouse or common-law partner.

• Marginal note:No pending proceedings

  (4) If no divorce proceeding is pending and no court is seized of a matter referred to in subsection (3), the court that has jurisdiction to hear and determine an application by a spouse or common-law partner is the court in the province in which the structures and lands in question are situated or, if that property is situated in more than one province, the court in one of those provinces whose jurisdiction is accepted by both spouses or common-law partners or, in the absence of agreement, either the court in the province in which they habitually reside or, if they have ceased to cohabit, in which they habitually resided on the day on which they ceased to cohabit.

• Marginal note:Exception

  (5) Despite subsection (4), if the court in a province that is seized of the matter referred to in subsection (3) is not a court as defined in subsection 2(1), the court that has jurisdiction to hear and determine an application by the spouse or common-law partner is the court, as defined in subsection 2(1), in that province.

Marginal note:Proceedings on death

• 44 (1) A court that is seized of a matter related to the distribution of property on the death of a spouse or common-law partner has jurisdiction to hear and determine an application made under section 21, 35, 36, 39 or 40 by the survivor, the executor of the will or the administrator of the estate.

• Marginal note:No pending proceedings

  (2) If no court is seized of a matter referred to in subsection (1), the court that has jurisdiction to hear and determine the application is the court in the province in which the structures and lands in question are situated or, if that property is situated in more than one province, the court in the province in which both spouses or common-law partners habitually resided on the day on which the death occurred or, if they ceased to cohabit before the death, in which they habitually resided on the day on which they ceased to cohabit.

• Marginal note:Exception

  (3) Despite subsection (2), if the court in a province that is seized of the matter referred to in subsection (1) is not a court as defined in subsection 2(1) and the Minister has not consented to the exercise of jurisdiction by the court or directed the matter to the court under section 44 of the Indian Act, the court that has jurisdiction to hear and determine the application is the court, as defined in subsection 2(1), in that province.

Marginal note:Possibility of joinder

45 An application made under this Act, except under sections 16, 18 and 19, may be heard in the same proceeding as another application related to the consequences of the breakdown of the conjugal relationship or the death.

Marginal note:Right of appeal — divorce proceeding

• 46 (1) An order made under this Act in a divorce proceeding as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Divorce Act is deemed, for the purposes of section 21 of that Act, to be an order made under that Act.

• Marginal note:Right of appeal — other proceeding

  (2) Any other order made under this Act, except under any of sections 16 to 19, may be appealed to the court exercising appellate jurisdiction over the court that made the order.

Rules of Practice and Procedure

Marginal note:Definitions

• 47 (1) The following definitions apply in this section.

  appellate court

  appellate court, in respect of an appeal from a court, means the court exercising appellate jurisdiction with respect to that appeal. (cour d’appel)

  competent authority

  competent authority, in respect of a court in a province, a court established under the laws of a province or an appellate court in a province, means the body, person or group of persons ordinarily competent under the laws of that province to make rules regulating the practice and procedure in that court. (autorité compétente)

• Marginal note:Rules

  (2) Subject to subsection (3), the competent authority may make rules applicable to any proceedings under this Act in a court, or appellate court, in a province, and to any proceedings under section 16 in a court established under the laws of a province, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, rules

  • (a) regulating the practice and procedure in the court, including the addition of persons as parties to the proceedings;

  • (b) respecting the conduct and disposition of any proceedings under this Act without an oral hearing;

  • (c) regulating the sittings of the court;

  • (d) respecting the fixing and awarding of costs;

  • (e) prescribing and regulating the duties of officers of the court;

  • (f) respecting the transfer of proceedings under this Act to or from the court; and

  • (g) prescribing and regulating any other matter considered expedient to attain the ends of justice and carry into effect the purposes and provisions of this Act.

• Marginal note:Exercise of power

  (3) The power to make rules conferred by subsection (2) on a competent authority must be exercised in the like manner and subject to the like terms and conditions, if any, as the power to make rules conferred on that authority by the laws of the province.

• Marginal note:Not statutory instruments

  (4) Rules made under this section by a competent authority that is not a judicial or quasi-judicial body are deemed not to be statutory instruments within the meaning and for the purposes of the Statutory Instruments Act.

Other Provisions

Marginal note:Determination by court — interest or right

48 For the purposes of this Act, a court may, by order, determine whether a spouse, a common-law partner, a survivor or an estate of a deceased spouse or common-law partner holds an interest or right in or to a structure or land situated on a reserve, on application by one of the spouses or common-law partners, the survivor, the executor of the will, the administrator of the estate or the council of the First Nation on whose reserve the structure or land is situated.

Marginal note:Proceedings on death

• 49 (1) When a spouse or common-law partner makes an application under any of sections 29 to 33 and both spouses or common-law partners or one of them dies before the application is disposed of, the application may be continued by or against the executor of the will or the administrator of the estate of the spouse or common-law partner who dies.

• Marginal note:Application by survivor

  (2) When a survivor makes an application under section 36, 39 or 40 and the survivor dies before the application is disposed of, the application may be continued by the executor of the will or the administrator of the estate of the survivor.

• Marginal note:Application by executor or administrator

  (3) When an executor of a will or an administrator of an estate makes an application under section 35 or 40 and the survivor dies before the application is disposed of, the application may be continued against the executor of the will or the administrator of the estate of the survivor.

Marginal note:Notice to Minister or council

50 When a court makes an order under this Act, except under section 19, the applicant must, without delay, send a copy of the order to the Minister or, if the order is in respect of any structure or land situated on the following reserves or land base, to the council of the First Nation:

• (a) a reserve of a First Nation that is subject to a land code within the meaning of subsection 2(2) of the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management Act;

• (b) a reserve of a First Nation that is on the list referred to in subsection 12(5); or

• (c) the Kanesatake Mohawk interim land base as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Kanesatake Interim Land Base Governance Act.

Marginal note:Provincial laws of evidence

51 Subject to this Act, the laws of evidence of the province in which any proceedings under this Act are taken, including the laws of proof of service of any document, apply to those proceedings.

Marginal note:Enforcement of orders

• 52 (1) On application by a person who is neither a First Nation member nor an Indian and in whose favour an order is made under subsection 30(1), section 33, subsection 36(1) or section 40, a council may, on behalf of the person, enforce the order on a reserve of the council’s First Nation as if the order had been made in favour of the First Nation.

• Marginal note:Payment into court

  (2) If the council notifies the person that it will not enforce the order or does not enforce it within a reasonable period after the application is made, a court may, on application by the person, vary the order to require the person against whom the order was made to pay into court the amount payable that was specified in the order, if the court is satisfied that it is necessary for the enforcement of the order.

Regulations

Marginal note:Governor in Council

• 53 (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations that the Governor in Council considers necessary for carrying out the purposes and provisions of this Act, including regulations making rules that are applicable to any proceedings under this Act and prescribing anything that by this Act is to be prescribed.

• Marginal note:Regulations prevail

  (2) Any regulations that may be made under subsection (1) to provide for uniformity in the rules made under section 47 prevail over those rules.

Transitional Provisions

Marginal note:Commencement of application

• 54 (1) If, under section 12, sections 13 to 52 begin to apply to a First Nation,

  • (a) sections 28 to 33 apply to spouses or common-law partners in respect of structures and lands situated on a reserve of that First Nation if they ceased to cohabit on or after the day on which those sections began to apply to that First Nation; and

  • (b) sections 14, 21 and 34 to 40 apply to survivors in respect of structures and lands situated on a reserve of that First Nation if the death occurred on or after the day on which those sections began to apply to that First Nation.

• Marginal note:Cessation of application

  (2) If, under section 12, sections 13 to 52 cease to apply to a First Nation,

  • (a) proceedings commenced under those sections in respect of structures and lands situated on a reserve of that First Nation must be completed as if those sections had not ceased to apply;

  • (b) section 15 continues to apply to spouses or common-law partners in respect of the family home situated on a reserve of that First Nation if the interest or right in or to the family home was disposed of or encumbered before the day on which that section ceased to apply to that First Nation, and sections 41 to 51 continue to apply in respect of proceedings taken by those spouses or common-law partners under section 15;

  • (c) sections 28 to 33 continue to apply to spouses or common-law partners in respect of structures and lands situated on a reserve of that First Nation if they had ceased to cohabit before the day on which those sections ceased to apply to that First Nation, and sections 41 to 52 continue to apply in respect of proceedings taken by those spouses or common-law partners under any of sections 29 to 33; and

  • (d) sections 14, 21 and 34 to 40 continue to apply to survivors in respect of structures and lands situated on a reserve of that First Nation if the death occurred before the day on which those sections ceased to apply to that First Nation, and sections 23, 25 to 27 and 41 to 52 continue to apply in respect of proceedings involving those survivors taken under section 21, 35, 36, 39 or 40.

Marginal note:Subsection 12(2)

55 Subsection 12(2) does not apply to a First Nation that, on the day on which this section comes into force, is a First Nation within the meaning of subsection 2(2) of the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management Act for a period of three years after that day.

Coming into Force

Marginal note:Order in council

• Footnote ^*56 (1) The provisions of this Act, except sections 12 to 52, 54 and 55, come into force on a day or days to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council.

• Marginal note:Provisional federal rules

  (2) Sections 12 to 52 come into force one year after the day on which section 7 comes into force.

  • Return to footnote ^*[Note: Sections 1 to 11 and 53 in force December 16, 2013, sections 12 to 52 in force December 16, 2014, see SI/2013-128.]