I wonder if they actually view common-law unions of opposite sex partners that way, especially when they are so common in Canada. At least, here in Quebec they are more the norm than the exception. I don't know what it's like in Montreal, as you have other cultures entering the mix that may change the demographic, but from my experience around the rest of Quebec marriage is not common. It's considered something couples who have been together for decades do to ensure spousal benefits upon death. Those who get married young are rare. In fact, my husband's family was really surprised and confused that we were getting married and we didn't even have children yet! I wish that were a joke, but it's really not. In fact when I first got to Quebec I had to keep finding new ways to answer the question, "so when are you two going to start having children?" from everyone I met (yes, complete strangers), and this was before we'd even gotten engaged. Anyway, just pondering that in my boredom this afternoon.