S-214160-61-62Elizabeth II2011-2012-2013An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reservesFamily Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights ActFamily Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights20231
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F-1.220201390617PreambleWhereas it is necessary to address certain family law matters on First Nation reserves since provincial and territorial laws that address those matters are not applicable there and since the Indian Act does not address those matters;Whereas measures are required to provide spouses or common-law patners with rights and remedies during a conjugal relationship, when that relationship breaks down or on the death of a spouse or common-law partner in respect ofthe use, occupation and possession of family homes on reserves, including exclusive occupation of those homes in cases of family violence, andthe division of the value of any interests or rights that they hold in or to structures and lands on those reserves;Whereas it is important that, when spouses or common-law partners exercise those rights and seek those remedies, the decision-makertake into account the best interests of the children, including the interest of any child who is a First Nation member to maintain a connection with that First Nation, andbe informed by the First Nation with respect to the cultural, social and legal context in the circumstances;Whereas the Government of Canada has recognized the inherent right of self-government as an aboriginal right and is of the view that implementation of that right is best achieved through negotiations;Whereas this Act is not intended to define the nature and scope of any right of self-government or to prejudge the outcome of any self-government negotiation;And whereas the Parliament of Canada wishes to advance the exercise, in a manner consistent with the Constitution Act, 1982, of First Nations law-making power over family homes on reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands on reserves;Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:Short Title
Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act.
Interpretation
DefinitionsThe following definitions apply in this Act.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, 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, 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 justice of the peace appointed by the lieutenant governor in council of the province;a judge of the court in the province; ora judge of a court established under the laws of the province. (juge désigné)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 means a band as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Indian Act. (première nation)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 meansthe following interests or rights referred to in the Indian Act: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,a permit referred to in subsection 28(2) of that Act, anda lease under section 53 or 58 of that Act;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; andan 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 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 partnersthat were acquired during the conjugal relationship;that were acquired before the conjugal relationship but in specific contemplation of the relationship; orthat 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 means the Minister of Indigenous Services. (ministre)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 includes either of two persons who have entered in good faith into a marriage that is voidable or void. (époux)Words and expressionsUnless the context otherwise requires, words and expressions used in this Act have the same meaning as in the Indian Act.Agreement between spouses or common-law partnersFor 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.Former spouse or common-law partnerFor 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.Term not restrictiveThe 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.KanesatakeFor 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.2013, c. 20, s. 22019, c. 29, s. 3752022, c. 19, s. 135
Her Majesty
Binding on Her MajestyThis Act is binding on Her Majesty in right of Canada or a province.
Purpose and Application
PurposeThe 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.
Title to First Nation landFor greater certainty,title to reserve lands is not affected by this Act;reserve lands continue to be set apart for the use and benefit of the First Nation for which they were set apart; andreserve lands continue to be lands reserved for the Indians within the meaning of Class 24 of section 91 of the Constitution Act, 1867.
Spouses or common-law partnersThis 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 LawsPower of First Nations
Power to enact First Nation lawsA 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.ContentsThe laws must include procedures for amending and repealing them and may includeprovisions for administering them; anddespite 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.Notice to provincial Attorney GeneralWhen 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.Non-application of Statutory Instruments ActThe Statutory Instruments Act does not apply in respect of the laws.
Community Approval
Submission to membersIf 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.Eligibility to voteEvery 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.Information to be providedThe 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.Publication of noticeThe council must publish a notice of the date, time and place of a vote.
Approval by membersThe 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.Minimum participationDespite subsection (1), the proposed laws are not approved unless at least 25 per cent of the eligible voters participated in the vote.Increased percentageA council may, by resolution, increase the percentage of eligible voters required under subsection (2).
Approved lawsWhen 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
Force of law and judicial noticeThe 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.Evidence of lawsIn 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.Access to First Nation lawsA 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.Notice of amendmentsIf 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.Notice on repealIf 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.ListThe 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 RulesApplication
First Nations with reserve landsSections 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.Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management ActSections 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 ifon 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; andthe First Nation laws that it enacts under section 7 of this Act or subclause 18.3 of that Framework Agreement are not in force.Self-governing First Nations that retain reserve landSections 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 ifon the recommendation of the parties to the agreement, the Minister makes a declaration, by order, that those sections apply to the First Nation; andthe First Nation laws referred to in section 7 that it enacts under that section or under the self-government agreement are not in force.DeclarationIn 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.ListThe 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.Notice on coming into forceIf 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.2013, c. 20, s. 12; 2018, c. 27, s. 3842022, c. 19, s. 136
Family HomeOccupation
During conjugal relationshipEach 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.
After deathWhen 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.
Consent of spouse or common-law partnerSubject 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.Setting asideIf 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.ExceptionHowever, the disposition or encumbrance may not be set aside if the other contracting party acquired it for value and acted in good faith.DamagesA 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.Proof of consentThe 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.AuthorizationSubject 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
Order of designated judgeOn 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 thatfamily violence has occurred; andthe 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.ApplicantThe 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.Acting on behalf of applicantA 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.ConsiderationsIn making the order, the designated judge must consider, among other things,the history and nature of the family violence;the existence of immediate danger to the person who is at risk of harm or property that is at risk of damage;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;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;the fact that a person, other than the spouses or common-law partners, holds an interest or right in or to the family home;the period during which the applicant has habitually resided on the reserve; andthe 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.Content of orderThe order may containa provision granting the applicant exclusive occupation of the family home and reasonable access to that home;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;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;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;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; andany 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.Notice of orderAny person against whom the order is made and any person specified in the order are bound by the order on receiving notice of it.Service by peace officerA 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.No personal liabilityAn 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 violenceFor 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:an intentional application of force without lawful authority or consent, excluding any act committed in self-defence;an intentional or reckless act or omission that causes bodily harm or damage to property;an intentional, reckless or threatened act or omission that causes a reasonable fear of bodily harm or damage to property;sexual assault, sexual abuse or the threat of either;forcible confinement without lawful authority; orcriminal harassment.
Order sent to court for reviewImmediately 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.Review by courtThe 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.DecisionThe court, on reviewing the order and the materials, must, by order,confirm the order if the court is satisfied that there was sufficient evidence before the designated judge to support the making of the order; ordirect 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.NoticeThe 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.Confirmed orderAn order that is confirmed is deemed to be an order of the court.Rehearing — order continuesIf the court directs that a matter be reheard, the order continues in effect and is not stayed unless the court orders otherwise.Evidence at rehearingThe 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.Order on rehearingOn 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).Section 18 applicationIf 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.
Application to vary or revoke orderAny 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 revokedwithin 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; andat any time if there has been a material change in circumstances.Confirm, vary or revoke orderThe 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).Evidence at hearingThe 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.
ConfidentialitySubject 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 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;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; anda provision prohibiting disclosure to the public of any information in a court document or record related to a proceeding under section 17 or 18.ConditionsThe court may only make the order if it is satisfied thatthe order is necessary for the safety of a party or witness or the safety or physical or emotional well-being of a child; orprotecting 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
Court orderA 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.Interim orderThe 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).ConsiderationsIn making an order under this section, the court must consider, among other things,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;the terms of any agreement between the spouses or common-law partners;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;the period during which the applicant has habitually resided on the reserve;the financial situation and the medical condition of the spouses or common-law partners;the availability of other suitable accommodation that is situated on the reserve;any existing order made on a matter related to the consequences of the breakdown of the conjugal relationship;any family violence;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;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;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;the fact that a person, other than the spouses or common-law partners, holds an interest or right in or to the family home; andthe views of any person who received a copy of the application, presented to the court in any form that the court allows.Content of orderAn order made under this section may contain provisions such asa 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;a provision requiring the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner to preserve the condition of the family home until that person vacates it;a provision directing the applicant to make payments to the other spouse or common-law partner toward the cost of other accommodation; anda 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.Emergency protection order revokedAn 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.Application to vary or revoke orderAny 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.Notice to affected personsAn 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.
Order after deathA 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.Interim orderThe court may make, on application by the survivor, an interim order to the same effect, pending the determination of the application under subsection (1).ConsiderationsIn making an order under this section, the court must consider, among other things,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;the terms of the will;the terms of any agreement between the spouses or common-law partners;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;the medical condition of the survivor;the period during which the survivor has habitually resided on the reserve;the fact that the family home is the only property of significant value in the estate;the interests of any person who holds or will hold an interest or right in or to the family home;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;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; andthe views of any person who received a copy of the application, presented to the court in any form that the court allows.Content of orderAn order made under this section may contain provisions such asa provision requiring the survivor to preserve the condition of the family home;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; anda 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.Notice of orderThe 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.Application to vary or revoke orderThe 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.Notice to affected personsAn 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
Family violenceFor 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.
Interest or right not affectedFor 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.
NoticeThe 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.
Contiguous propertyFor 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.
LeasesWhen 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.
OffenceAny 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 liablein 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; orin 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 RightsBreakdown of a Conjugal Relationship
Division of valueWhen 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).First Nation membersA 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 ofone 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,the greater ofone 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, andthe 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, andthe 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.Non-membersA 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 ofone 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,the greater ofone 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, andthe 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, andthe 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:lands that are the object of matrimonial interests or rights that are held by the other spouse or common-law partner, andstructures 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.Determination of valueFor the purposes of subsections (1) to (3), the value of the interests or rights is the difference betweenthe amount that a buyer would reasonably be expected to pay for interests or rights that are comparable to the interests or rights in question, andthe 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.Agreement by partiesDespite 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 dateFor the purposes of this section, valuation date meansin the case of spouses, the earliest of the following days:the day on which the spouses separated with no reasonable prospect of reconciliation,the day on which the judgment granting their divorce was rendered,the day on which the marriage was declared a nullity,the day on which one of the spouses made an application related to the consequences of the breakdown of the marriage, andthe 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; orin the case of common-law partners, the earliest of the following days:the day on which one of the common-law partners manifested the intention not to continue the conjugal relationship,the day on which one of the common-law partners made an application related to the consequences of the breakdown of the conjugal relationship, andthe 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.
Variation of amountOn 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,the applicant’s financial responsibility related to the care and upbringing of the children in the applicant’s charge;the amount of debts or other liabilities referred to in that section incurred by each spouse or common-law partner;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;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;the availability of accommodation that is comparable to the family home and that is situated on the same reserve as the family home;the duration of the conjugal relationship;the terms of any agreement between the spouses or common-law partners;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); orother determinations that the court may make on any matters related to the consequences of the breakdown of the conjugal relationship.
Amount payableOn 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 includingdetermining the amount payable by one spouse or common-law partner to the other; andproviding that the amount payable be settled bypayment of the amount in a lump sum,payment of the amount by installments,the transfer of an interest or right under an order referred to in section 31,the set-off or compensation of any amounts owed by one spouse or common-law partner to the other, orany combination of the methods referred to in subparagraphs (i) to (iv).Extension of timeOn 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:circumstances existed that were beyond the control of the applicant; oronly after the period expired did the applicant become aware of any interests or rights referred to in subsections 28(1) to (3).
Order to transfer interests or rightsWhen 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 thatthe 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;the applicant had previously held the interest or right before the cessation of cohabitation; orthe 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.ClarificationA transfer may be ordered under subsection (1)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;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;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; orin 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.2013, c. 20, s. 312022, c. 19, s. 137
Improvident depletionOn 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 protectingthe 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; orthe 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.
Enforcement of agreementsIf 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
Entitlement of survivorOn 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).First Nation membersA 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 ofone 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,the greater ofone 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, andthe 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, andthe 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.Non-membersA 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 ofone 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,the greater ofone 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, andthe 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, andthe 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:lands that are the object of matrimonial interests or rights that were held by the deceased individual, andstructures 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.Determination of valueFor the purposes of subsections (1) to (3), the value of the interests or rights is the difference betweenthe amount that a buyer would reasonably be expected to pay for interests or rights that are comparable to the interests or rights in question, andthe 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.Agreement by partiesDespite 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 dateFor the purposes of this section, valuation date meansin the case of spouses, the earliest of the following days:the day before the day on which the death occurred,the day on which the spouses ceased to cohabit as a result of the breakdown of the marriage, andthe 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; orin the case of common-law partners, the earlier of the following days:the day before the day on which the death occurred, andthe 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.
Variation of amountOn 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.
Determination by courtOn 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 includingdetermining the amount payable to the survivor; andproviding that the amount payable to the survivor be settled bypayment of the amount in a lump sum,payment of the amount by installments,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, orany combination of the methods referred to in subparagraphs (i) to (iii).Extension of timeOn 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:the survivor did not know of the death of their spouse or common-law partner until after the period expired;circumstances existed that were beyond the control of the survivor; oronly after the period expired did the applicant become aware of any interests or rights referred to in subsections 34(1) to (3).ClarificationA transfer may be ordered under subsection (1)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;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;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; orin 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.Variation of trustOn 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.Notice to affected personsAn 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: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; orin the case where the applicant is the executor of a will or an administrator of an estate, to the survivor.Notice to beneficiariesOn 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.2013, c. 20, s. 362022, c. 19, s. 138
Survivor’s choiceIf 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.
Distribution of estateSubject 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:the survivor consents in writing to the proposed distribution;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; oran application made under subsection 36(1) is disposed of.Advances to dependantsSubsection (1) does not prohibit reasonable advances to survivors or other dependants of the deceased spouse or common-law partner for their support.Two survivorsWhen 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.
Improvident depletionOn 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 protectingthe 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; orthe 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.
Enforcement of agreementsIf 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
Notice of applicationAn 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.Representations by councilOn 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.
Notice of orderWhen 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 applicationFor the purposes of this section, application means an application made under any of sections 15, 20, 29 to 33, 48 or 52.Divorce proceeding pendingWhen 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.Other proceedings pendingWhen 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.No pending proceedingsIf 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.ExceptionDespite 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.
Proceedings on deathA 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.No pending proceedingsIf 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.ExceptionDespite 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.
Possibility of joinderAn 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.
Right of appeal — divorce proceedingAn 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.Right of appeal — other proceedingAny 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
DefinitionsThe following definitions apply in this section.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, 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)RulesSubject 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, rulesregulating the practice and procedure in the court, including the addition of persons as parties to the proceedings;respecting the conduct and disposition of any proceedings under this Act without an oral hearing;regulating the sittings of the court;respecting the fixing and awarding of costs;prescribing and regulating the duties of officers of the court;respecting the transfer of proceedings under this Act to or from the court; andprescribing and regulating any other matter considered expedient to attain the ends of justice and carry into effect the purposes and provisions of this Act.Exercise of powerThe 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.Not statutory instrumentsRules 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
Determination by court — interest or rightFor 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.
Proceedings on deathWhen 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.Application by survivorWhen 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.Application by executor or administratorWhen 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.
Notice to Minister or councilWhen 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 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;a reserve of a First Nation that is on the list referred to in subsection 12(5); orthe Kanesatake Mohawk interim land base as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Kanesatake Interim Land Base Governance Act.2013, c. 20, s. 502022, c. 19, s. 139
Provincial laws of evidenceSubject 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.
Enforcement of ordersOn 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.Payment into courtIf 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
Governor in CouncilThe 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.Regulations prevailAny 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
Commencement of applicationIf, under section 12, sections 13 to 52 begin to apply to a First Nation,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; andsections 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.Cessation of applicationIf, under section 12, sections 13 to 52 cease to apply to a First Nation,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;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;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; andsections 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.
Subsection 12(2)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.2013, c. 20, s. 552022, c. 19, s. 140
Coming into Force
Order in councilThe 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.Provisional federal rulesSections 12 to 52 come into force one year after the day on which section 7 comes into force.[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.]
2022, c. 192022-12-152019, c. 292019-07-15