Government Introduces Federal Law–Civil Law Harmonization Act, No. 3 in the Senate

Last week, the Canadian government introduced a bill in the Senate that will harmonize federal law with the civil law of Quebec to ensure that it takes into account both civil law and common law traditions of Canada.

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.

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 new Civil Code of Québec came into force in 1994.