Canada, House of Commons Debates, “Suggestion That Ontario Premier Recognize Linguistic Duality of Canada”, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess (26 November 1981)
Document Information
Date: 1981-11-26
By: Canada (Parliament)
Citation: Canada, House of Commons Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1981 at 13295-13296.
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COMMONS DEBATES — November 26, 1981
[Page 13295]
THE CONSTITUTION
SUGGESTION THAT ONTARIO PREMIER RECOGNIZE LINGUISTIC DUALITY OF CANADA—MOTION UNDER S.O. 43
[Translation]
Mr. Jean-Robert Gauthier (Ottawa-Vanier): Madam Speaker, I rise on a matter of urgent and pressing necessity under the provisions of Standing Order 43.
Whereas a nation, in drafting its constitution, should do so with respect and in a spirit of generosity towards its minorities; and whereas it is vital to recognize more fully and to protect Canada’s duality, I move, seconded by the member for Missisquoi (Mr. Bachand):
That this House invite forthwith the Premier of Ontario, William Davis, to introduce in the Ontario Legislature now in session, a resolution to the effect that Ontario recognizes the linguistic duality of Canada and requests that it be bound by sections 14(2), 18(2), 19(2) and 20(2), which would make it possible for all French-speaking Canadians—wherever they may reside in Canada— when coming to Ontario, to have access to that province’s parliamentary and judicial institutions and government services in the same manner as all English-speaking Canadians have had access to the same institutions in Quebec for over 114 years.
Madam Speaker: The House has heard the motion presented by the hon. member. Under the provisions of Standing Order 43, this motion requires the unanimous consent of the House. Is there unanimous consent for this motion?
Some hon. Members: Agreed.
Some hon. Members: No.
APPLICATION OF OVERRIDE PROVISION—MOTION UNDER S.O. 43
Mr. Svend J. Robinson (Burnaby): Madam Speaker, I rise on a matter of urgent and pressing necessity pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 43. In view of the fact that Section 33 of the proposed Constitution resolution would
[Page 13296]
That this House urge the Minister of Justice to propose amendments to the constitutional resolution, eliminnling the possibility of Section 33, the override provision, applying at the very least within federal jurisdiction.
Madam Speaker: Is there unanimous consent for this motion?
Some hon. Members: Agreed.
Some hon. Members: No.
THE CONSTITUTION
REQUEST THAT LINGUISTIC RIGHTS OF FRANCO-ONTARIANS BE ENTRENCHED IN CHARTER OF RIGHTS—MOTION UNDER S.O. 43
Mr. Bob Rae (Broadview-Greenwood): Madam Speaker, I rise on a matter of urgent and pressing necessity under the provisions of Standing Order 43.
Hundreds of thousands of Ontarians have French as their mother tongue, and it is only fair to ask that their cultural heritage and language rights should be protected. Considering the fact that the government of Ontario persists in refusing to recognize the right of Franco-Ontarians to communicate with their government and legislature and with their Ontario courts in the official language of their choice, I move, seconded by the hon. member for Spadina (Mr. Heap):
That the House of Commons amend the constitutional resolution to make Section 133 of the British North America Act, in other words. Sections 16 to 20 and 22 of the constitutional resolution, applicable to Ontario, and to provide for entrenchmcnt of the language rights of Franco-Ontarians in the Charter of Rights and our Constitution.
Madam Speaker: The House has heard the motion presented by the hon. member. Pursuant to Standing Order 43, this motion requires the unanimous consent of the House. Is there unanimous consent for this motion?
Some hon. Members: Agreed.
Some hon. Members: No.