Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and
Constitutional Affairs
Issue 24 - Minutes of Proceedings
ST. JOHN'S, Wednesday, July 10, 1996 (32)
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, met this day in Salon A, Hotel Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, at 8:34 a.m., the Chair, the Honourable Senator Sharon Carstairs, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Anderson, Beaudoin, Carstairs, Cogger, Doody, Jessiman, Kinsella, Lewis, Pearson, and Rompkey (10).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Finlay MacDonald (Halifax) and the Honourable Senator Gerald Ottenheimer (2).
In attendance: Mollie Dunsmuir, Research Officer, Research Branch of the Library of Parliament; Laura Snowball, Research Officer, Research Branch, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
Participants to the Integrated Schools Panel:
David Carmichael, Integrated Education Council;
Hubert Norman, Executive Director, Integrated Education Council;
The Right Reverend Donald Harvey, Anglican Church;
The Reverend Ian Wishart, Presbyterian Church;
Lieutenant-Colonel Howard Moore, Salvation Army;
The Reverend Clarence Sellars, United Church.
From the Fédération des parents francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador:
Mme Johanne Lacelle, Vice-President;
Mr. Richard Charron, Past President.
Walk-ons:
Mrs. June Alteen;
Mr. Brian Shortall, Superintendent, Roman Catholic School Board, St. John's;
Mr. Mike Finn, Appalachia Roman Catholic School Board;
Prof. Susan McCorquodale;
Mr. Bill Lee, Avalon School Board;
Mrs. Suzanne Dyer;
Mr. Glenn Moores;
Mr. Daryl Prosper;
Mr. Ali Chaisson;
Mr. Michael Furlong;
Mr. Robert Cormier;
Mrs. Lucy Counsel;
Mr. Patrick Counsel;
Mrs. Lorraine Brown.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 13, 1996, the Committee continued its consideration of the resolution to amend the Constitution of Canada, Term 17 of the Terms of Union of Newfoundland with Canada. (For full text of Order of Reference, please refer to Issue 19, Tuesday, June 18, 1996.)
The Chair made a statement.
The Honourable Senator Romkey raised a point of order regarding the tabling of two press releases.
After debate -- The Chair took it under advisement and agreed to rule later this day.
Mr. David Carmichael of the Integrated Education Council made a statement.
Bishop Donald Harvey made a statement.
The Reverend Ian Wishart made a statement.
Lieutenant-Colonel Howard Moore made a statement.
The Reverend Clarence Sellars made a statement.
The witnesses, including Mr. Norman, answered questions.
Lieutenant-Colonel Moore agreed to provide to the Committee the letter from the Integrated Education Council to Premier C. Wells listing their concerns with the proposed amendment to Term 17 (Exhibit 5900 L1/SS1-24 "1").
At 11:20 a.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 11:25 a.m., the sitting was resumed.
Mrs. Johanne Lacelle of the Fédération des parents francophones de Terre-Neuve et d Labrador made a statement and, together with Mr. Richard Charron, answered questions.
The following members of the public each made a statement: Mrs. June Alteen, Mr. Brian Shortall, Mr. Mike Finn, Prof. Susan McCorquodale, Mr. Bill Lee, Mrs. Suzanne Dyer, Mr. Glen Moores, Mr. Daryl Prosper, Mr. Ali Chaisson, Mr. Michael Furlong, Mr. Robert Cormier, Mrs. Lucy Counsel, Mr. Patrick Counsel, Mrs. Lorraine Brown.
At 1:03 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
ST. JOHN'S, Wednesday, July 10, 1996 (33)
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, met this day in Salon A, Hotel Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, at 1:47 p.m., the Chair, the Honourable Senator Sharon Carstairs, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Anderson, Beaudoin, Carstairs, Cogger, Doody, Jessiman, Kinsella, Lewis, Pearson, and Rompkey (10).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Finlay MacDonald (Halifax) and the Honourable Senator Gerald Ottenheimer (2).
In attendance: Mollie Dunsmuir, Research Officer, Research Branch of the Library of Parliament; Laura Snowball, Research Officer, Research Branch, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
Mr. Colin Irving, Lawyer.
From the Yes Means Yes Committee:
Tom Hann, Committee member;
Mandy Cantle, Co-Chair;
David Martin, Co-Chair.
From the Newfoundland and Labrador Home and School Federation:
Marie Law, President;
Steve Wolinetz, First Vice-President.
From the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association:
Wayne Russell, Executive Director;
From the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Association:
Mr. Geoff Budden, Lawyer, Vice-President;
Mr. Jerry Vink, Executive Director.
From the Labrador Métis Association:
Mr. Todd Ressell, President;
Mr. Ken Mesher, Elder.
Walk-ons:
Mrs. Karen O'Leary;
Mrs. Maria Kelsey;
Mrs. Helena Bragg;
Mr. Kevin Power;
Father Aidan Devine;
Mrs. Mary Mulcahy;
Mrs. Ann Aylward;
Mrs. Carmel Doyle;
Mrs. Dianne Barker;
Mr. Patrick Howard;
Mrs. Anne Griffin;
Mr. Patrick Furlong;
Mr. Pat Collins;
Mrs. Heather Conran-Paul;
Mr. Morley Whitt;
Mrs. Ann Walsh;
Mr. Harry Bown;
Mr. Eric Short;
Mrs. Mary Arruda;
Mr. Roger Nippard;
Mr. Harold Flynn;
Mrs. Fay Flynn.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 13, 1996, the Committee continued its consideration of the resolution to amend the Constitution of Canada, Term 17 of the Terms of Union of Newfoundland with Canada. (For full text of Order of Reference, please refer to Issue 19, Tuesday, June 18, 1996.)
The Chair made a statement.
Mr. Colin Irving made a statement and answered questions.
Mr. Tom Hann introduced the panelists for the Yes Means Yes Committee. Mrs. Mandy Cantle and Mr. David Martin each made a statement and, together with Mr. Tom Hann, answered questions.
Mrs. Law of the Newfoundland and Labrador Home and School Federation made a statement.
Mr. Wolinetz made a statement.
The witnesses answered questions.
Mr. Wayne Russell of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association made a statement and answered questions.
Mr. Geof Budders of the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Association made a statement and, together with Mr. Jerry Vink, answered questions.
Mr. Todd Russell and Elder Ken Mesher of the Labrador Métis Association each made a statement. Mr. Russell answered questions.
The Chair ruled that Senator Rompkey's point of order from the morning sitting was not a true point of order.
The following members of the public each made a statement: Mrs. Karen O'Leary, Mrs. Maria Kelsey, Mrs. Helena Bragg, Mr. Kevin Power, Father Aidan Devine, Mrs. Mary Mulcahy, Mrs. Ann Aylward, Mrs. Carmel Doyle, Mrs. Dianne Barker, Mr. Patrick Howard, Mrs. Anne Griffin, Mr. Patrick Furlong, Mr. Pat Collins, Mrs. Heather Conran-Paul, Mr. Morley Whitt, Mrs. Ann Walsh, Mr. Harry Bown, Mr. Eric Short, Mrs. Mary Arruda, Mr. Roger Nippard, Mr. Harold Flynn, Mrs. Fay Flynn.
At 7:02 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Heather Lank
Clerk of the Committee