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However, in light of the concerns expressed, we accept that it would be useful to have the new judicial compensation and benefits commission look at possible solutions for the specific case where there are two surviving spouses.

However, in light of the concerns expressed, we accept that it would be useful to have the new judicial compensation and benefits commission look at possible solutions for the specific case where there are two surviving spouses.

Eliminating the definition of surviving spouse will allow the new commission to examine all the options for recognizing common-law spouses and to make recommendations for a fair and logical approach in cases where there are two surviving spouses.

Eliminating the definition of surviving spouse will allow the new commission to examine all the options for recognizing common-law spouses and to make recommendations for a fair and logical approach in cases where there are two surviving spouses.

These are goals which I am sure all Canadians support.

These are goals which I am sure all Canadians support.

We are grateful that it was supported and passed in this House during report stage of Bill C-37.

We are grateful that it was supported and passed in this House during report stage of Bill C-37.

According to a June 10 Ottawa Citizen article, family incomes are still dropping and as a result Canadians need to stretch the family budget to keep a roof over their heads.

According to a June 10 Ottawa Citizen article, family incomes are still dropping and as a result Canadians need to stretch the family budget to keep a roof over their heads.

Essentially judges could have the final say over whether parliamentarians are giving them a sufficient raise.

Essentially judges could have the final say over whether parliamentarians are giving them a sufficient raise.

It has been well established that situations such as the one contemplated in Bill C-37 are rare.

It has been well established that situations such as the one contemplated in Bill C-37 are rare.

How expansive are the powers of the commission?

How expansive are the powers of the commission?

If such powers are vested with the commission, it is setting a dangerous precedent, a precedent the official opposition cannot support.

If such powers are vested with the commission, it is setting a dangerous precedent, a precedent the official opposition cannot support.

However, while the amendments put forward by our brave colleagues in the Senate are a step in the right direction, we think many more amendments would be required and much more work would have to be done on this bill before the Bloc Quebecois could consider supporting it.

However, while the amendments put forward by our brave colleagues in the Senate are a step in the right direction, we think many more amendments would be required and much more work would have to be done on this bill before the Bloc Quebecois could consider supporting it.

We are opposed to the principle of raising federal judges' salaries by approximately 13%, which is unacceptable to us in the Bloc Quebecois, and that is why we oppose the bill.

We are opposed to the principle of raising federal judges' salaries by approximately 13%, which is unacceptable to us in the Bloc Quebecois, and that is why we oppose the bill.

On the other hand, we are in favour of establishing the Judicial Benefits and Compensation Commission.

On the other hand, we are in favour of establishing the Judicial Benefits and Compensation Commission.

We are also in favour of the Senate amendments for the following reasons: a number of these amendments would bring the French and English versions of the bill more in line with one another, while one other amendment clarifies the mandate of the commission being established by the federal government.

We are also in favour of the Senate amendments for the following reasons: a number of these amendments would bring the French and English versions of the bill more in line with one another, while one other amendment clarifies the mandate of the commission being established by the federal government.

In our view, these explicit criteria are positive and fair.

In our view, these explicit criteria are positive and fair.

Clause 1 defines the term ``surviving spouse'' and, for constitutional reasons, we are opposed to the inclusion of surviving spouses in Bill C-37.

Clause 1 defines the term ``surviving spouse'' and, for constitutional reasons, we are opposed to the inclusion of surviving spouses in Bill C-37.

Pensions are included in matrimonial property under family and estate distribution law.

Pensions are included in matrimonial property under family and estate distribution law.

The commission's recommendations are not binding on the government, but the court judgment requires a reasonable and public justification to be provided if the recommendations are rejected, before a court of law if necessary.

The commission's recommendations are not binding on the government, but the court judgment requires a reasonable and public justification to be provided if the recommendations are rejected, before a court of law if necessary.

These are hardly starvation wages, after all.

These are hardly starvation wages, after all.

We are in favour of creating an independent commission, but we cannot go along with this lapse in solidarity and vision in an economic context where the provinces have borne the brunt of the federal government's fight to eliminate the deficit.

We are in favour of creating an independent commission, but we cannot go along with this lapse in solidarity and vision in an economic context where the provinces have borne the brunt of the federal government's fight to eliminate the deficit.

But judges too are members of society, and as such must take part in the collective effort.

But judges too are members of society, and as such must take part in the collective effort.

When we are determining how the very sparse funds have to be divided up, increasing the judges' salary at this point in time when this country has other problems is perhaps not the wisest and most judicial, if you will, use of funds.

When we are determining how the very sparse funds have to be divided up, increasing the judges' salary at this point in time when this country has other problems is perhaps not the wisest and most judicial, if you will, use of funds.

There is a lack of legal aid availability for parties who are seeking to bring their matters before the court.

There is a lack of legal aid availability for parties who are seeking to bring their matters before the court.

More and more powers are being delegated to provincial court judges with fewer and fewer resources.

More and more powers are being delegated to provincial court judges with fewer and fewer resources.

At the same time that this is happening, we are increasing the wages for some of the wealthiest people in this country.

At the same time that this is happening, we are increasing the wages for some of the wealthiest people in this country.

There are hundreds of good judges in this country.

There are hundreds of good judges in this country.