Document Information

Date: 1981-11-06
By: Canada (Parliament)
Citation: Canada, House of Commons Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1981 at 12589-12590.
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COMMONS DEBATES — November 6, 1981

[Page 12589]

THE CONSTITUTION

ABORIGINAL RIGHTS—MOTION UNDER S.O. 43

Mr. Jim Manly (Cowichan-Malahat-The Islands): Mr. Speaker, I ask the support of hon. members on all sides of the House on a matter of urgent and pressing necessity. In view of

[Page 12590]

the fact that all parties gave unanimous support last January for the inclusion of a clause in the Constitution recognizing and affirming aboriginal and treaty rights of the Indian, Inuit and Métis people, and in view of the fact that no aboriginal group in Canada has opposed Clause 34 or asked for its withdrawal, and further, that the only mention of aboriginal and treaty rights during this week’s first ministers’ conference was in support of those rights by the government of Saskatchewan, I move, seconded by the hon. member for Skeena (Mr. Fulton):

That this House affirm its continued support for the unanimous decision of January 30 to entrench the recognition and affirmation of aboriginal and treaty rights.

Some hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Does the hon. member have the unanimous consent of the House to present the said motion?

Some hon. Members: Agreed.

Some hon. Members: No.

Mr. Nielsen: Mr. Smith said no.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: It is moved by Mr. Manly and seconded by Mr. Fulton—shall I dispense?

Some hon. Members: No.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: In view of the fact all parties gave unanimous support last January for the inclusion of a clause in the Constitution recognizing and affirming aboriginal and treaty rights of the Indian, Inuit and Native people, and in view of the fact that no aboriginal group in Canada has opposed Clause 34 or asked for its withdrawal, and further, that the only mention of aboriginal and treaty rights during this week’s first ministers’ conference was in support of these rights by the government of Saskatchewan, it is moved by the hon. member for Cowichan-Malahat-The Islands (Mr. Manly), and seconded by the hon. member for Skeena (Mr. Fulton):

That this House affirm its continued support for the unanimous decision of January 30 to entrench the recognition and affirmation of aboriginal and treaty

Does the House give unanimous consent to adopt this motion?

Some hon. Members: Agreed.

Some hon. Members: No.

Mr. Smith: Mr. Speaker, I wish to assure the Chair that I said no to that motion when it was called.

[Translation]

APPEAL TO OPPOSITION MEMBERS TO GIVE SUPPORT—MOTION UNDER S.O. 43

Mr. Henri Tousignant (Témiscamingue): Mr, Speaker, I rise on a matter of urgent and pressing necessity under the provisions of Standing Order 43.

Whereas it was clearly demontrated in yesterday’s historical agreement that the great Liberal principles of our government and the prophetic vision of our Prime Minister, for which he has always fought, met the wishes and expectations of all Canadians; whereas it was also clear that the Premier of Quebec attended this conference with the sole purpose of scuttling it by committing what I would call political hijacking to serve separatist ends, and since our government’s perccptiveness was once more clearly established, I therefore move, seconded by the hon. member for Bourassa (Mr. Rossi):

That those few right-minded members opposite who would have liked to voice very strongly their approval for our draft resolution now cross the floor of the House and join us in the continuation and implementation of fair and equitable policies for all Canadians.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order, please. This motion requires the unanimous consent of the House. Is there unanimous consent for this motion?

Some hon. Members: Agreed.

Some hon. Members: No.