Document Information

Date: 1980-06-12
By: Canada (Parliament)
Citation: Canada, Senate Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1980 at 457.
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SENATE DEBATES — June 12, 1980

[Page 457]

THE CONSTITUTION

ASPECTS OF SENATE STUDY

Hon. Orville H. Phillips: Honourable senators, I would like to direct a question to the Leader of the Government. My question is based on item number four on the order paper, the motion made by the Honourable Senator Lamontagne, and the amendment made by the Honourable Senator Flynn. The Task Force on Canadian Unity listed seven functions of a second chamber, and then went on to state that this chamber has failed in all except the first two. Would the leader consider having the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs study this aspect, and then report back? In the meantime the motion of Senator Lamontagne and the amendment of Senator Flynn could be held in abeyance. I think it would help both sides of the debate if this study were carried out first.

Hon. Raymond J. Perrault (Leader of the Government): Honourable senators may wish to reconstitute that committee, to complete its report or investigate other aspects of constitutional reform. It is not for the Leader of the Government in the Senate to dictate or direct that that activity be undertaken.

Senator Flynn: Did you say that without a smile?