Road To Canada Forums

Hi there. My husband and I have been married only a short time, but have dated since 2003. We have plenty of proof of this. First marriage for both, no children, I have a Masters Degree and I'm in the US. It's all pretty straight forward.. but yesterday in conversation about Canada's common law thing, my husband mentions "Oh, I might have lived with my ex for a year!". I knew they had lived together, but didn't know it was for that long. He doesn't think I should worry about declaring it on the paperwork since he doesn't know if it was a year, they were in his mom's basement with no bills and she didn't have her mail or anything forwarded, so there wouldn't even be any proof of when she moved in or moved out. (This was nearly 10 years ago). I wouldn't have a problem putting it in the paperwork if I didn't have to come up with evidence (which doesn't exist!) of the beginning or end of this relationship that may or may not have been a common law relationship. I guess my question is.. should I put it on there or not? Would they have a way of finding out if there is no evidence (no shared bills, change of address or anything). He hasn't had contact with this woman for years and even if we did need something from her, we wouldn't have any way of finding her.

If it's 10 years ago, and he's not even sure if it was a full year they lived together, I doubt CIC is going to care. However, he should still either list her as a former common-law partner, or attach an explanation that they may have been common-law but he's not sure if it was a full year. He should put approximate dates if he doesn't have exact dates, and if there's information missing they are asking for, just explain that he has no way of contacting her.

It's very unlikely it would come back to bite him, but not listing her at all could - at least in theory - be considered misrepresentation, if they did in fact live together for a year.

He doesn't even know exactly which year it was! :P I know the common law route has helped a lot of people, but it can be frustrating too.. where I come from, it's more black and white. If you're married, that's it. If you aren't, there you go.. no having to remember when you shacked up with someone 10 years ago! I understand it's different if you buy a place together, have kids, etc.. but in my case it's just a bit frustrating :) Thanks, matthewc :)

Personally, I would not worry about it.
My guy lived with his ex for like - I dunno - something like 15 years (he did not sponsor her or anything) - he didn't list her.

Obviously he did list his ex-wife who he divorced way before that. (they were actually married)

dubv2tdot Wrote:He doesn't even know exactly which year it was! :P I know the common law route has helped a lot of people, but it can be frustrating too.. where I come from, it's more black and white. If you're married, that's it. If you aren't, there you go.. no having to remember when you shacked up with someone 10 years ago! I understand it's different if you buy a place together, have kids, etc.. but in my case it's just a bit frustrating :) Thanks, matthewc :)

I had a roommate for 15 years, but she was a female, and it was platonic. I didn't put her down because we obviously never considered ourselves "commonlaw."

Thanks, everyone! I'm such a 'worrier' and this process isn't easy for me.. leaving everything in the hands of one person who has never met us! Just have to do a good job on our appliation and hope for the best.

Even if you're married you would still have to list an ex common-law partner, just like you'd have to list an ex-wife. Listing ex partners/spouses has nothing to do with the class you're actually applying under.

On second though I'd agree that if he is adamant they were only ever boyfriend/girlfriend, and he's not even sure it was a year, it's probably safe to just not list her. If (somehow) CIC found out and cared, it would be simple enough to say "I'm as sure as I can be it was less than a year and we never considered ourselves common-law or in a marriage-like relationship".