Document Information

Date: 1981-02-24
By: Canada (Parliament)
Citation: Canada, Senate Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1981 at 1829-1830.
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SENATE DEBATES — February 24, 1981

[Page 1829]

THE CONSTITUTION

AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY WOMEN‘S CONFERENCE

Hon. Raymond J. Perrault (Leader of the Government): Honourable senators, I have a delayed answer to a question asked by Senator Asselin on February 17 concerning constitutional amendments proposed by the Women’s Conference.

The Right Honourable the Prime Minister stated in the other place that the amendments proposed “are probably very sensitive and worthwhile additions”, and that if they are moved in the house the government will “see if they are an improvement to the resolution or not” and will make its judgment in consequence.

[Page 1830]

There are two further points that may be of interest to the honourable senator. The first is a quotation from Doris Anderson regarding the amendments made to section 15:

I think the government’s come a very long way toward meeting the concerns of Canadians, especially women.

Hon. Martial Asselin: You should have quoted her when she spoke about a statement by the Minister of Justice.

Senator Perrault: The second point is that the Progressive Conservative Party, which professes such interest in women’s issues, voted against all but two of the amendments proposed by the Women’s Conference when they were advanced before the Constitution Committee.