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===Federal legislation=== | ===Federal legislation=== | ||
Most federal laws distinguish between "spouses," people who are legally married, and "common-law partners," who aren't. Qualifying as a common-law partner might mean that you are entitled to a share of your partner's CPP credits, | Most federal laws distinguish between "spouses," people who are legally married, and "common-law partners," who aren't. Qualifying as a common-law partner might mean that you are entitled to a share of your partner's CPP credits, receive the Old Age Security spouse allowance or survivor's benefits, or the spouse amount for the GST Credit. | ||
In general, you must have lived with your partner for at least one year to qualify as a common-law partner under federal legislation. Here's the definition from the ''[http://canlii.ca/t/7vjx Old Age Security Act]'': | In general, you must have lived with your partner for at least one year to qualify as a common-law partner under federal legislation. Here's the definition from the ''[http://canlii.ca/t/7vjx Old Age Security Act]'': |