De facto union

De facto union, also known as common-law union, exists when two persons of same or opposite sex live together and present themselves publicly as a couple, regardless, unless otherwise specified, of the duration of their cohabitation. 

There is no single definition for de facto spouses under Quebec laws. The Civil Code of Quebec provides no definition for de facto spouses and the definitions found in specific laws vary depending on the context.

De facto spouses will have to be attentive to the content of the various special laws that gives them rights (Automobile Insurance Act, Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety, taxation laws, etc.). 

Some of these laws refer to cohabitation periods ranging from one year to three years or a one-year period of cohabitation when they become parents of a common child.