Document Information

Date: 1981-03-19
By: Canada (Parliament)
Citation: Canada, Senate Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1981 at 2108-2109.
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SENATE DEBATES — March 19, 1981

[Page 2108]

[Translation]

THE CONSTITUTION

PETITION FROM SOLIDARITE QUEBEC

Hon. Jacques Flynn (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I have a question for the government leader. I have received from the Premier of Quebec a letter in which he refers to a petition from Solidarité Québec, which was signed by 715,180 people who ask that the Constitution of Canada not be patriated or amended without the agreement of the Province of Quebec, and that their signatures be referred to the appropriate Parliament.

In this letter, the Premier of Quebec says he also contacted the Prime Minister of Canada, the leader of the official opposition and the NDP leader. I am wondering whether the

[Page 2109]

Leader of the Government could tell us whether the Prime Minister of Canada did receive notice of this petititon or a copy of it, and whether he intends to table it in the House of Commons and before the Parliament of Canada?

[English]

Hon. Raymond J. Perrault (Leader of the Government): Honourable senators, I have not heard from the office of the Right Honourable the Prime Minister with respect to the petition or whether it has been received. However, an inquiry will be made. Perhaps it has been delayed in the mail.

Senator Flynn: Never say that!

The Hon. the Speaker: I should probably inform the Senate that I did receive the same letter.