Document Information

Date: 1980-06-12
By: Canada (Parliament)
Citation: Canada, Senate Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1980 at 458.
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SENATE DEBATES — June 12, 1980

[Page 458]

[Translation]

THE CONSTITUTION

ENFORCEMENT OF SEPTEMBER DEADLINE

Hon. Jacques Flynn (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I have a question for the Leader of the Government. In view of the fact that the position of Mr. Claude Ryan, Leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, is similar to that adopted by five provincial premiers concerning the ultimate date in September to report substantial, perhaps even final, progress on the items on the agenda, as stated by the Right Honourable Prime Minister, could the Leader of the Government ask the Prime Minister whether he is still inflexible with respect to this ultimate date in September to obtain a final consensus concerning the items on the proposed agenda?

[English]

Hon. Raymond J. Perrault (Leader of the Government): Honourable senators, inquiries will go forward on the point made by the Leader of the Opposition. The statement made yesterday by the Minister of Finance was to the effect that there has been no decision on whether the September 12 deadline will be strictly enforced. Agreement on all 12 topics of discussion has not been reached. Indeed, he would offer no comment, and that must also be my decision.