Document Information

Date: 1980-12-08
By: E.I. MacDonald, Department of Justice, Government of Canada
Citation: Memo from E.I. MacDonald, Addendum to Ministers dated November 25, 1980 from the Minister of Justice re: Possible Amendments to Proposed Resolution on Constitution of Canada (5 December 1980).
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Note: This document is discussed in an article that has been recently submitted to a peer-review journal.

SECRET

December 8, 1980

MEMORANDUM TO:          DEPUTY MINISTER

B.L. STRAYER

JORDAN

REID

GIBSON

GOLDENBURG

KIRBY

BERTRAND

DAWSON

TAIT

FROM:                                   MISS E. I. MACDONALD

I attach for your information a copy of an Addendum dated December 8 to the Memorandum to Ministers from the Minister of Justice dated November 25, together with the annexes thereto in both official languages.

The distribution is as noted hereon. Do you wish me to send a preliminary copy to Mr. Robinovitch before the Minister signs the memorandum?

1. I. MacDonald

2. Section 11 – Right not to testify against oneself

The Canadian Bar Association has argued before the Joint Committee that the proposed Resolution should clearly protect the right of an accused not to be required to testify against himself in criminal proceedings. This is a long standing right against self crimination which should be made explicit in the Charter.

Recommendation: That section 11 be amended to add the right not to testify against oneself along the lines set out in Annex A2 hereto.

SECRET

December 8, 1980

MEMORANDUM TO:          DEPUTY MINISTER

B.L. STRAYER

JORDAN

REID

GIBSON

GOLDENBURG

KIRBY

BERTRAND

DAWSON

TAIT

FROM:                                   MISS E. I. MACDONALD

I attach for your information a copy of an Addendum dated December 8 to the Memorandum to Ministers from the Minister of Justice dated November 25, together with the annexes thereto in both official languages.

The distribution is as noted hereon. Do you wish me to send a preliminary copy to Mr. Robinovitch before the Minister signs the memorandum?

E. I. MacDonald

SECRET

December 8, 1980

ADDENDUM TO

MEMORANDUM TO MINISTERS DATED NOVEMBER 25, 1980 FROM THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE

RE:      POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS TO PROPOSED

RESOLUTION ON CONSTITUTION OF CANADA

1. Reasons for Addendum
2. There has now been an opportunity to consider the various representations in respect of institutional language rights in the provinces and a draft amendment relating to such language rights in New Brunswick, not contained in the annexes to the November 25 draft, is, appended hereto.
3. Further hearings before the Special Joint Committee and other representations have led to the conclusion that a number of provisions of the Resolution, including some already modified in the annexes to the November 25 Memorandum, should be modified or further modified.
4. The November 25 Memorandum was distributed before it was possible to have a final review of the French texts of the draft amendments and it is desired to improve some of those texts.
5. Recommendation
6. That the amendments set out in the annexes appended hereto be approved as indicated herein.
7. That the Minister of Justice be authorized to make such other technical amendments to the proposed Resolution as may be necessary.

III.       New Substantive Amendments

1. Section 10 – Right to retain and instruct Counsel

The Canadian Bar Association has recommended to the Joint Committee that the right to retain and instruct counsel include a right to be informed of this right. It is considered would be better to provide in the Criminal Code for the method and timing of informing an accused of his right to retain counsel.

Recommendation: That no amendment as indicated above be put forward to the Committee but that approval be given to accepting such an amendment if the Committee strongly wishes to add such a right.

(See Annex A l appended hereto for draft amendment.)

2. Section 11 – Right not to testify against oneself

The Canadian Bar Association has argued before the Joint Committee that the proposed Resolution should clearly protect the right of an accused not to be required to testify against himself in criminal proceedings. This is a long standing right against self crimination which should be made explicit in the Charter.

Recommendation: That section 11 be amended to add the right not to testify against oneself along the lines set out in Annex A2 hereto.

[Page 2]

3. Sections 16 to 20 – Language Rights

On his appearance before the Joint Committee, Premier Hatfield of New Brunswick asked that sections 16 to 20 be amended as set out in Annexes A3 to A7 appended hereto. The amendments would provide language rights in New Brunswick that are similar to federal language rights. They would cover official languages, languages of the legislature and legislative statutes, languages of courts and languages of communication by the public with provincial institutions. The last mentioned language right would be broader than the federal right as it would apply to communications with and services from any institution of the legislature or government without the limitations set out in respect of the federal right.

Recommendation: That sections 16 to 20 be amended as set out in Annexes A) to A7 to meet the request of Premier Hatfield.

1. Modifications to Amendments Annexed to November 25 Memorandum
2. Annex 6

In a number of representations before the Committee, including those of the Canadian Bar Association and the National Advisory Council on the Status of Women, it has been suggested that the words “equal in law” be used to indicate that the provision relates to the substance as well as the administration of the law. It is considered that “in law” does not necessarily convey both these ideas. Hence, in the November 25 draft, the word “under ” was adopted to indicate that equality both in the administration of the law and in the substance of the law is intended. Further consideration led to the conclusion that the use of both “before and under” would make the meaning of the provision more clear.

It is also proposed to change the word “everyone ” to “every individual” to ensure that corporations cannot claim protection under section 15 since non­ discrimination rights are by nature directed only to individuals.

A change to clarify the French version is also proposed. It has been noted before the committee that in the draft resolution, “discrimination” is used in English and “distinction” is used in French. The word “distinction” is neutral whereas “discrimination” has a judgmental character and would better convey the intended idea.

Recommendation: That subsection 15(1) be amended as indicated above. (See the revised Annex 6 appended hereto for proposed changes.)

2. Annex 14 (Section 41)

The Canadian Bar Association in its appearance before the Joint Committee envisaged a latent ambiguity in subparagraphs 41(1)(b) (ii) and (iii).

Recommendation: That paragraphs 41(1)(b) (ii) and (iii) be amended to eliminate any ambiguity.

(See the revised Annex 14 appended hereto for proposed changes.)

[Page 3]

3. Annex 26 (section 13)

As written in the proposed Resolution, section 13 would not protect an accused or other witness who voluntarily gives evidence on his own behalf from having the evidence so given used against him in subsequent proceedings. This is a clearly recognized principle in the law of evidence which should be reflected in the rule against self crimination.

Recommendation: That section 13 be amended to include this protection as set out in the revised Annex 26 appended hereto.

__________________

Minister of Justice

SECRET

ANNEX A1

December 5, 1980

Moved that

The Proposed Resolution respecting the Constitution of Canada be amended by deleting paragraph 10(b) of the proposed Constitution Act, 1980 and by substituting therefor the following:

“(b) to retain and instruct counsel without delay and to be informed promptly of this right; and”

[French]

ANNEXE Al

Le 8 décembre 1980

Il est proposé que le Projet de résolution concernant la Constitution du Canada soit modifié par substitution, à l’alinéa 10b) du projet de Loi constitutionnelle de 1980, de l’alinéa suivant:

« b) d ‘avoir recours sans délai à l’assistance d’un avocat et d’être informe de ce droit dans les meilleurs dela1s; »

SECRET

ANNEX A2

December 5, 1980

Moved that

The Proposed Resolution respecting the Constitution of Canada be amended

• by adding thereto immediately after paragraph 11(b) of the proposed Constitution Act, 1980 the following:

(c) not to be compelled to testify against oneself in proceedings in respect of the charge;”

; and

• by relettering the present paragraphs 11(c) to (g) accordingly.

[French]

ANNEXE A2

Le 8 décembre 1980

Il est propose que le Projet de résolution concernant la Constitution du Canada soit modifie

1. par insertion, après l’alinéa 11b) du projet de Loi constitutionnelle de 1980, de ce qui suit:

« c) de ne pas être contraint de témoigner centre lui-même dans toute procédure concernant son inculpation; »

;

1. par changement de la désignation littérale des alinéas 11c) a g) qui découle de cette modification.

SECRET

ANNEX A3

December 5, 1980

Moved that

The Proposed Resolution respecting the Constitution of Canada be amended

• by adding immediately after subsection 16(1) of the proposed Constitution Act, 1980, the following:

Official languages

“(2) English and French are the official languages of New Brunswick and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the legislature and government of New Brunswick.”

; and

• by renumbering subsection 16(2) thereof as subsection 16 (3).

[French]

ANNEXE A3

Le 8 décembre 1980

Il est repose que le Projet de résolution concernant la Constitution du Canada soit modifié

1. par insertion, après le paragraphe 16(1) du projet de Loi constitutionnelle de 1980, de ce qui suit :

Langues officielles

« (2) Le français et l’anglais sent les officielles langues officielles du Nouveau-Brunswick; elles ont un statut et des droits et privilèges égaux quant à leur usage dans les institutions de la Législature et du gouvernement du Nouveau-Brunswick.

;

1. par substitution, a l’actuel numéro de paragraphe 16(2), du numéro 16(3).

SECRET

ANNEX A4

December 5, 1980

Moved that

The Proposed Resolution respecting the Constitution of Canada be amended by renumbering section 17 of the proposed Const1tut1on Act. 1980 as subsection 17(1) and by adding thereto the following:

Proceedings of legislature

“(2) Everyone has the right to use English or French in any debates and other proceedings of the legislature of New Brunswick.”

[French]

ANNEXE A4

Le 8 décembre 1980

Il est propose que le Projet de résolution concernant la Constitution du Canada soit modifié par substitution, l’actuel numéro d’article 17 du projet de Loi constitutionnelle de 1980, du numéro 17(1) et par adjonction de ce qui suit :

Travaux de la Législature

« (2) Chacun a le droit d’employer la langue officielle de son choix dans les débats et travaux de la Législature du Nouveau-Brunswick. »

SECRET

ANNEX A5

December 5, 1980

Moved that

The Proposed Resolution respecting the Constitution of Canada be amended by renumbering section 18 of the proposed Constitution Act, 1980 as subsection 18 (1) and by adding thereto the following:

Statutes and records of legislature

“(2) The statutes, records and journals of the legislature of New Brunswick shall be printed and published in English and French and both language versions are equally authoritative.”

[French]

ANNEXE A5

Le 8 décembre

Il est proposé que le Projet de résolution concernant la Constitution du Canada soit modifié par substitution, l’actuel numéro d’article 18 du projet de Loi constitutionnelle de 1980, du numéro 18(1) et par adjonction de ce qui suit:

Documents de la Législature

« (2) Les lois, les archives, les comptes rendus et les procès-verbaux de la Législature du Nouveau-Brunswick sont im9rimes et publies en fran9ais et en anglais, les deux versions des lois ayant également force de loi et celles des autres documents ayant même valeur. »

SECRET

ANNEX A6

December 5, 1980

Moved that

The Proposed Resolution respecting the Constitution of Canada be amended by renumbering section 19 of the proposed Constitution Act, 1980 as subsection 19(1) and by adding thereto the following:

Proceedings in courts

“(2) Either English or French may be used by any person in, or in any pleading in or process issuing from, any court established by the legislature of New Brunswick.”

[French]

ANNEXE A6

Le 8 décembre 1980

Il est proposé que le Projet de résolution concernant la Constitution du Canada soit modifié par substitution, a l’actuel numéro d’article 19 du projet de Loi constitutionnelle de 1980, du numéro 19(1) et par adjonction de ce qui suit:

Procédures devant les tribunaux

« (2) Chacun a le droit d’employer la langue officielle de son choix dans toutes les affaires dont sont saisis les tribunaux établis par la Législature du Nouveau-Brunswick et dans taus les actes de procédure qui en découlent. »

SECRET

ANNEX A7

December 5, 1980

Moved that

The Proposed Resolution respecting the Constitution of Canada be amended by renumbering section 20 of the proposed Constitution Act, 1980 as subsection 20(1) and by adding thereto the following:

Communications by public with provincial institutions

“(2) And member of the public in New Brunswick has the right to communicate with, and to receive available services from, any office of an institution of the legislature or government of New Brunswick in English or French.”

[French]

ANNEXE A7

Le 8 décembre

Il est proposé que le Projet de résolution concernant la Constitution du Canada soit modifié par substitution, a l’actuel numéro d’article 20 du projet de Loi constitutionnelle de 1980, du numéro 20(1) et par adjonction de ce qui suit:

Communications entre les administres et les institutions provinciales

« (2) Chacun a droit au Nouveau-Brunswick a l’emploi du français ou de l’anglais pour communiquer avec l’administration des institutions de la Législature ou du gouvernement du Nouveau-Brunswick ou pour en recevoir les services.)

ANNEX 6

November 21, 1980

REVISED       December 5, 1980

Moved that

The Proposed Resolution respecting the Constitution of Canada be amended by deleting the heading preceding section 15 and section 15 of the proposed Constitution Act, 1980 and by substituting therefor the following:

Equality before and under the law and equal protection and benefit of the law

15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion or sex.

Affirmative action programs

(2) Subsection (1) does not preclude any law, or activity that has as its object the amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups including those that are disadvantaged because of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion or sex.”

[French]

ANNEXE 6

Le 21 novembre 1980

Il est proposé que le Projet de résolution concernant la Constitution du Canada soit modifié, par substitution a l’article 15 et a sa rubrique du projet de Loi constitutionnelle de 1980, de l’article et de la rubrique suivants :

« Droits à l’égalité

Egalite devant la loi, égalité de bénéfice et protection égale de la loi

15. (1) La loi ne fait acception de personne et s’applique également à tous et tous ont droit a la même protection et au même bénéfice de la loi indépendamment de toute discrimination fondée sur la race, l’origine nationale ou ethnique, la couleur, de la lei la religion au le sexe.

Programmes de promotion sociale

(2) Le présent article n’a pas pour effet d’interdire les lois, programmes ou activités destines à améliorer la situation des individus et des groupes défavorises, notamment du fait de leur race, de leur origine nationale ou ethnique, de leur couleur, de leur religion ou de leur sexe. »

ANNEX 14

November 21, 1980

Revised December 8, 1980

Moved that

The Proposed Resolution respecting the Constitution of Canada be amended by deleting subparagraphs 41(1)(b)(ii) and (iii) of the proposed Constitution Act, 1980 and by substituting therefor the following:

“(ii) two or more Atlantic provinces, and

(iii) two or more Western provinces that have in the aggregate, according to the then latest general census, a combined population of at last fifty per cent of the population of all the Western provinces. «

[French]

ANNEXE 14

Le 21 novembre 1980

Il est propose que le Projet de résolution concernant la Constitution du Canada soit modifié par substitution, au sous-alinéa 41(1)b)(ii) du projet de Loi constitutionnelle de 1980, du sous-alinéa suivant :

« (ii) au moins deux des provinces de l’Atlantique,”

(iii) au moins deux des provinces de l’Ouest dent la population confondue représente, selon le recensement général le plus récent de l’époque, au moins cinquante pour cent de la population de l’ensemble des provinces de l’Ouest.)

ANNEX 26

November 21, 1980

REVISED       December 5, 1980

Moved that

The Proposed Resolution respecting the Constitution of Canada be amended by deleting section 13 of the proposed Constitution Act, 1980 and by substituting therefor the following:

Self-crimination

“13. A witness who testifies in any proceedings has the right not to have any incriminating evidence so given used against that witness in any other proceedings, except a prosecution for perjury or for the giving of contradictory evidence.”

[French]

ANNEXE 26

Le 21 novembre 1980

Il est proposé que le Projet de r6solution concernant la Constitution du Canada soit modifié par substitution, a ‘article 13 du projet de Loi constitutionnelle de 1980, de ‘article suivant :

Témoignage incriminant

“13. Chacun a droit, s’il est contraint de témoigner, a ce qu’aucun témoignage incriminant qu’il aura rendu ne soit utilisé centre lui dans d’autres procédures, sauf lors de poursuiteur parjure ou pour témoignage contradictoire.”