OTTAWA, October 19, 2004 -- Today, Senator Jack Austin, on behalf of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Irwin Cotler, introduced legislation into the Senate that will continue the harmonization of federal legislation to ensure, whether in English or in French, it takes into account both common law and civil law. " Canada not only has the advantage of two official languages, but also benefits from two legal systems: civil law in Quebec and common law in the other provinces and territories," said Minister Cotler. " Canada is one of only a few bijural countries in the world, and the undertaking of the process of harmonization gives Canada a leadership role in this respect." "Harmonizing federal legislation will make it more efficient and effective," said Senator Austin. "By enhancing the clarity of the law, in both languages and in both the civil and common law traditions, we will ensure better access to justice for all Canadians." Harmonization involves reviewing all federal legislation that deals with provincial private law to ensure that it integrates the terminology, concepts and institutions of Quebec civil law. This bill will continue or complete the harmonization of 26 federal statutes. Harmonizing federal legislation with Quebec civil law will ensure better access to justice by making the application of federal legislation more efficient, as well as reducing the number of lawsuits and the costs associated with the administration of justice. This is the second harmonization bill to be tabled by the Government and 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. The Federal Law-Civil Law Harmonization Act, No. 1 , S.C. 2001, c. 4 came into force on June 1, 2001 . - 30 - Ref.: Mylène Dupéré Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Justice (613) 992-4621 Media Relations Office Department of Justice Canada (613) 957-4207 Backgrounder: A Second Bill to Harmonize Federal Law with the Civil Law of the Province of Quebec.
