The right to own private property is irrevocably linked to freedom. However, there is one group of Canadians who do not have this right. Currently, there is no legal safety net to prevent on-reserve residents from being expelled from their family home if their spouse dies, or if the marital relationship ends. As a result, many individuals, particularly women and children, are left in dire situations that can lead to homelessness and poverty. Our legislation to address the longstanding issue of matrimonial real property would provide people living on-reserve with the immediate means to fairly divide the family home when facing the breakdown of a relationship or death of a spouse. It would also provide protection in instances of family violence. The proposed legislation would apply to approximately 600 reserve communities, affecting more than 75,000 individuals who are currently without legal matrimonial real property protections.
 
I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt. You can call my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133 or drop by our two offices to visit: Saskatoon Monday-Friday or Humboldt Tuesday and Wednesday. I always appreciate your feedback.