Document Information

Date: 1981-04-01
By: Canada (Parliament)
Citation: Canada, House of Commons Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1981 at 8840.
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COMMONS DEBATES — April 1, 1981

THE CONSTITUTION

REFERRAL OF CONSTITUTIONAL RESOLUTION TO SUPREME COURT OF CANADA-MOTION UNDER S.O. 43

[Page 8840]

Mr. Benno Friesen (Surrey-White Rock-North Delta): Madam Speaker, I rise under the provisions of Standing Order 43. In view of published reports that the Supreme Court of Canada has indicated its displeasure with the unilateral plan of the Prime Minister (Mr. Trudeau) to push through Parliament his constitutional resolution before the Manitoba appeal can be heard, and that the Supreme Court of Canada has indicated that the dignity of the Supreme Court of Canada is being affronted by the process the Liberal government has initiated, I move, seconded by the hon. member for Richmond-South Delta (Mr. Siddon):

That, since the Prime Minister has finally admitted that the constitutional resolution should be referred to the Supreme Court of Canada for a decision, this House affirm the dignity of both the Supreme Court of Canada and the Parliament of Canada by urging the Prime Minister to cease his political posturing by referring forthwith the constitutional resolution to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Madam Speaker: Is there unanimous consent for this motion?

Some hon. Members: Agreed.

Some hon. Members: No.