Document Information

Date: 1980-10-20
By: Canada (Parliament)
Citation: Canada, House of Commons Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1980 at 3821.
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[Page 3821]

THE CONSTITUTION

PROTECTION FOR DISABLED IN PROPOSED LEGISLATION

Mr. Peter Lang (Kitchener): Madam Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister. In view of the fact that many persons with disabilities are presently suffering from discrimination and have voiced their desire to be protected in any new constitution, I would like to ask the Prime Minister if non-discrimination rights for persons with disabilities could be incorporated by amendment into the proposed constitution act of 1980?

An hon. Member: And women?

An hon. Member: And natives?

Right Hon. P. E. Trudeau (Prime Minister): Madam Speaker, I hear, along with this constructive suggestion from the member for Kitchener, members of the official opposition saying we should also include other factors in this bill of rights, and they have suggested women and natives. I am very happy that at last we have the support of the Tory party for our action.

Some hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr. Trudeau: I am grateful to the member from Kitchener for having at last brought forth this honest support of our action in protecting the basic rights of Canadians. I am prepared to examine any amendments which can improve the status of the resolution before the House. In some cases I have indicated it would be useful to carry on the discussion so that in the second phase of negotiations, once we have a constitution in Canada, amendable in Canada, we could indeed improve in many ways the bill of rights, including the way suggested by the hon. member from Kitchener.