Document Information

Date: 1980-12-09
By: Canada (Parliament)
Citation: Canada, Senate Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1980 at 1382.
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SENATE DEBATES — December 9, 1980

[Page 1382]

THE CONSTITUTION

DATE OF PATRIATION

Hon. Duff Roblin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I have a question for the Leader of the Government about the Special Joint Committee on the Constitution. Recent statements have been made by the Prime Minister to the effect that he still holds to July 1, 1981, as the date by which all matters before the committee, including the patriation of the Constitution, will be finalized. I ask the leader if this is indeed the government’s intention, and, if so, does the Prime Minister intend to adhere to it whether or not the cases now before the courts are reported by that time?

Hon. Raymond J. Perrault (Leader of the Government): Honourable senators, the government is still hopeful that the original time-frame targetted by the Right Honourable the Prime Minister can be met. if there is any change, parliamentarians will be advised in due course.

Senator Roblin: That is really not the thrust of my question, as I think my honourable friend appreciates very well. The thrust of my question is: Does the government intend to adhere to that date, regardless of whether or not the applications before the courts are dealt with by that time?

Senator Perrault: Honourable senators, the balance of the question will be taken as notice.