The Sanctity of this place has been fouled!

If you play Diablo as the Sorceror, you'll hear that phrase when he enters the church in the first stage. I think this phrase is very fitting for what I need to comment on, though there needs to be some change:

"The sanctity of this institution has been fouled!"

Why? Because *Raoul and *Rupert are trying to get into a common-law couple status.

I believe that the common-law relationship requirements are that the two partners must have lived together under the same roof for a year and a day. However, I do not know the exact details, so someone could correct me on that. However, the proof of this is very weak... Apparently, you just need a bill with both names on it from about a year ago, or a series of twelve bills. Technically speaking, I could just put someone's name on my cable bills for a year and then that person would have common law status with me, even though they have never lived with me. What type of bullshit is this? For me, to prove common-law relationship, you need either a copy of the lease with both signatures there or a copy of the joint mortgage arrangement.

Of course, Raoul is not considering this to show his affection. Though personally, him declaring his and Rupert's relationship as common law does disservice to all other loving couples who have this (or will have this) labelling. Raoul is considering this option because then he could show the army his common law status, and he could reap the benefits of that. (If they do post him to another base, then they have to pay him to do that, as part of the benefits when your common-law partner is your dependent).

I know that a lot of couples abuse this law to get the benefits without actually being a couple. However, I don't think that's right. I also think that the pioneers who fought so hard to get gay marriage in Canada and recognition of same-sex couples as a possibility to the common law relationship have taken several giant steps back based on this consideration.