Xref: utcsri can.politics:59637 Newsgroups: can.politics Path: utcsri!info.physics.utoronto.ca!utzoo!telly!evan From: evan@telly.on.ca (Evan Leibovitch) Subject: Re: Quebec seperation + Bouchard leg amputation Message-ID: Organization: Sound Software Ltd., Brampton, Ontario References: <3bt11v$2fk@csi0.csi.UOttawa.CA> Date: Mon, 5 Dec 1994 19:12:04 GMT In article , >Jacques Parizeau said and will say again (probably Tuesday) that even if >Quebec separates, Quebecers could keep their canadian citizenship. I won't >decide the terms of an eventual separation, but I guess Parizeau will, at >least in part. Don't you think? I think you are making a dangerous assumption, based on a deception. Just as people outside Quebec have no right to determine Quebec's path, neither does Quebec have the ability to determine Canada's choice in case Quebec declares sovereignty. The most Pariseau can say is that *he'll try* to negotiate terms of separation which will afford Quebecois dual citizenship. That is VERY FAR from guaranteeing that this would happen. It is *totally* Canada's (or Canada Hors Quebec, if you wish) decision to whom it will grant citizenship status to. It is not unreasonable to suggest that Canada may require Quebecois in a sovereign state to choose their loyalty. Under Pariseau's scheme, would I (a Quebec-born anglophone living in Ontario) also be able to claim dual citizenship? I don't suppose they mention *that* side of it... :-) What is truly amazing in the sovereigntist future is that even after separation, Quebec will be able to pick and choose those parts of association with Canada that it wishes. I believe this strategy to be dishonest, since it assumes that Canada will allow this without compensation of some kind. While I don't believe that a separation would be violent, don't for a moment believe that Canada's short-term attitude would be at all friendly or accomodating towards Quebec. >And what do you mean by "the fact is that the majority of Canadians will >decide the terms of Quebec separation."? It means that there are two sides to a story. Quebec cannot demand unilaterally that a Canada-sans-Quebec recognize people born in Quebec to be Canadian citizens. This is a negotiating point, as are many other matters of separation such as trade and fiscal policy; they cannot be decided alone by either side. -- Evan Leibovitch, Sound Software Ltd., located in beautiful Brampton, Ontario Novell Unix Master Reseller / evan@telly.on.ca / (905) 452-0504 Are vegetarians allowed to eat animal crackers? Xref: utcsri can.politics:60713 Newsgroups: can.politics Path: utcsri!utnut!torn!uunet.ca!uunet.ca!scilink!telly!evan From: evan@telly.on.ca (Evan Leibovitch) Subject: Re: Bouchard is a traitor to QUEBEC!!! Message-ID: Organization: Sound Software Ltd., Brampton, Ontario References: <3c59bv$auu@tribune.usask.ca> Date: Tue, 13 Dec 1994 14:00:30 GMT In article , Derepentigny Yves wrote: >>politicans... BUT.. it would be a blantant lie to say that all of quebec >>suports his wrongful/traitors cause. >Minute! O.K., c'est vrai que ce n'est pas tout le monde qui supporte sa >cause, mais de la a dire que sa cause n'est pas juste et que c'est de la >traitrise, il y a une marge. You have in front of you at least one Quebecois who suggests this to be the case, so you can't say the opinion doesn't exists. Or, you can be like others and suggest that he's not a true Quebecois 'cause he doesn't have enough sang pure laine for you. (the same case as is built to deny that Trudeau is Quebecois). >then we became >>part of a Unified country.... >Ah oui! Tres unifie! On voit bien ca de nos jours... "unification" takes many forms. It may take the form of the jingoistic, patriotic flag waving that Quebecois or Americans enjoy so much, or it can be the boring common-cause issues which, despite their blandness, do more to tie Canadians together than they believe. >>It is NOT the desire of the majority of quebecer's to seperate from canada.... >>and Bouchard is using some of the worst strong arm tatics i have ever seen.... >>but his course is traitorus to both canada, and quebec.. we all know why he is >>a traitor to canada.. but let me remind you of why he is a traitor to quebec.. >Bouchard n'est pas un traitre, et il n'utilise pas de tactiques "de bras >de fer". Si la separation a lieu, elle se fera de facon democratique. >Bouchard n'a pas usurpe son mandat. But to get there, he is using IMO undemocratic means. By not calling the referendum *date* now, Parizeau gets around fairness requirements of the Referendum Act; for instance, the current draft bill does not require that the 'no' side get as much funding as the 'yes'. The 'campaign before the campaign' has no fairness requirements; I have no belief that Parizeau will act in fairness to both sides, since he's clearly an advocate of one side. > and to seperate what many of our ansestors strived for in the true name of >>their people from canada just because canada refuses to give into the special >>status wining that bouchard is dishing out is traitorus to the fathers of our >>coutry.... >Demande a Riel, aux Franco-Manitobains, aux Fransaskois, aux >Franco-Ontariens, etc. si le beau pays pour lequel ils se sont battus les >a bien traites. Yes, let's ask. How many language police exist to require the use of English in Canada? How many provinces have been taken to task by the UN for their opressive language laws? How many province's cultural and language laws have violated their own charters of rights? >La loi >101, la loi 178, c'est de la petite biere, c'est une joke lorsqu'on >compare ca avec ce que les francophones hors-Quebec ont vecu. Yes, compare it. In what jurisdiction in Canada where minority schools exist, are (at least some) parents prohibited from sending their children there? Only Quebec? Mai oui! -- Evan Leibovitch, Sound Software Ltd., located in beautiful Brampton, Ontario Novell Unix Master Reseller / evan@telly.on.ca / (905) 452-0504 Are vegetarians allowed to eat animal crackers? Xref: utcsri can.politics:61749 Newsgroups: can.politics Path: utcsri!utnut!torn!uunet.ca!uunet.ca!scilink!telly!evan From: evan@telly.on.ca (Evan Leibovitch) Subject: Re: Qbc/Can Human rights violations (Was: Bouchard is a traitor ...) Message-ID: Organization: Sound Software Ltd., Brampton, Ontario References: <151310Z20121994@anon.penet.fi> Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 03:59:51 GMT In article , U.Laval wrote: >> WRONG! Quebec legislation prevents more than 10 percent of the children of >> English mother tongue in the province from attending English schools!!!!! >Selon le dernier rapport du Comissaire aux Langues officielles, pres de 50 >pour cent des franco-Ontariens n'avaient pas acces a une ecole francaise. >50 percent...not a typo... 50 percent!!!!!!! "a une ecole francaise". Does that include French education given by the area's school board, or do francophones insist on total duplication of services? >> French families in Quebec are also denied access to English schools in >> Quebec. This is a violation of their rights as defined by the United Nations. >Si la moitie des Franco-Ontariens n'ont pas acces a une ecole francaise, >j'imageine ce que ce doit etre pour les anglophones. If half of the >francophones in Ontario can't go to a french school, I can imagine how >many anglophones can't. This is a violation of their rights, too. In areas of French concentration in Ontario, the schools are there. In areas of English concentration in Quebec, the schools are there. But even when they're there, not every anglos can use them! >> WRONG! Francophone families in every province in ROC can use article >> 23(1)(a) of the Canadian charter to get access to French schools. English >> families in Quebec can not use article 23(1)(a) because it is not >> applicable in Quebec (because of article 59 in the Constitution). >This time you're really wrong, my friend. Okay, they have access. But >access to what? What the f**k is the advantage to have access to a school >when there's no school? About the half of the francophones in Ontario >don't have access to a french school. Why? Not because they don't have the >right, but because THERE'S NO F****N' SCHOOL. And what, pray tell, happens when they ask for one? Has a challenge by francophone parents under 23(1)(a) ever been denied? >You speak of laws, I speak of rights. Even if there's no laws such as the >bills 101 and 178 in the ROC. But that doesn't mean the francophones have >access to french schools. You don't need a law to limit school access when >there's no scholl. Where are you from anyway? It's partially an issue of numbers. Nobody expects an English school in, say, Longueil, if there are few or no anglo families. Ditto with CHQ communities with small franco populations. What's at issue, is that even when the schools *do* exist, parents who want to send their kids there can't! How many francophone parents are refused entry of their kids into an *existing* francophone school programme because they're not 'French' enough? >Sign your messages. We won't burn your house. Oh yes? Last time he *did* sign his messages, someone tried to burn his job! Called his *employer* and complained. I believe 'Bulldog' kept his job but lost his Usenet account at work, merely for expressing an opinion. While nobody's reaching for the Bic yet, that attempt to silence Steve (which was condemned by even the nationalist speakers here) was one of the low points in the history of these discussions. Would you like to use this as an example of tolerance? Would you not be a little shy if someone did this to you? -- Evan Leibovitch, Sound Software Ltd., located in beautiful Brampton, Ontario Novell Unix Master Reseller / evan@telly.on.ca / (905) 452-0504 Are vegetarians allowed to eat animal crackers? Xref: utcsri can.politics:65159 Path: utcsri!utnut!torn!uunet.ca!uunet.ca!bobby-sands!usenet From: kelias@LLC.ORG (Robert Keith Elias) Newsgroups: can.politics Subject: Draft Bill on the Sovereignty of Quebec Date: Sat, 21 Jan 1995 17:23:05 -0500 Organization: Acces Public LLC Lines: 452 Message-ID: <9bO8lahguxA6075yn@LLC.ORG> NNTP-Posting-Host: biko.llc.org Dear World; The following is a copy of the official english version of the "Draft Bill on the Sovereignty of Quebec" that was sent (in french) to every household in Quebec. I am posting it here for information purposes only. My apologies if someone else has already posted it. The following is hand typed (hopefully without error). I have altered nothing and left nothing out. Double lines "===..." indicate a page separation. There are several blank pages before the back page. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> THE BEGINNING <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< ======================================================================= _____________ DRAFT BILL _____________ ON THE _____________ SOVEREIGNTY _____________ OF _____________ QUEBEC _____________ A message from the Prime Minister Version francaise disponible sur demande. 1-800-363-3043 ======================================================================= Dear Fellow Quebecer: As you are undoubtedly aware, I recently tabled a draft bill in the National Assembly on the sovereignty of Quebec, which I committed myself to distribute to every Quebec household. Enclosed you will find your own personal copy of this proposed legislation. I emphasize that this is your personal copy because the initiative of creating a country is not the exclusive concern of the government. Indeed, it must be the concern of each and every citizen of Quebec, of the Quebec nation as a whole. That is why we will be calling on you to carefully study, assess, or modify this draft legislation as you see fit as part of a major exercise in democratic participation. In conjunction with this exercise, next February, within all regions of Quebec - throughout all our local communities, towns and cities - specially formed commissions will be busy gathering your thoughts and expectations about this draft legislation. As you will notice, there is a blank page in the document you have just received. It is the preamble which has intentionally been left unwritten. This preamble will eventually become the Declaration of Sovereignty of Quebec. It must describe who we are as a people and who we wish to become. As such, it must be a vivid reflection of our values and our hopes, our traditions and our ambitions. This blank page calls out to all of us. We must devise it together, participate and contribute the best of ourselves. For the very first time in our history, each and every Quebecer has the opportunity to become his or her own legislative representative, directly influence the future and personally help write the history of Quebec. I invite you to take full advantage of this tremendous opportunity, and wish you and yours all the best for the holiday season and the New Year to come. Sincerely, Jacques PARIZEAU Prime Minister ======================================================================= _______________________________________________________________________ NATIONAL ASSEMBLY _______________________________________________________________________ FIRST SESSION THIRTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE Draft Bill An Act respecting the sovereignty of Quebec ___________________________________________ Tabled by Mr. Jacques Parizeau Prime Minister ___________________________________________ Quebec Official Publisher 1994 ======================================================================= 2 EXPLANATORY NOTES This draft bill sets out the political course of action put forward by the Government of Quebec to settle definitively the constitutional problem that has been confronting Quebec for several generations. It also defines the process proposed to achieve this purpose. THE PROJECT It is proposed that Quebec become a sovereign country through the democratic process. The accession of full sovereignty has been defined by the National Assembly as "the accession of Quebec to a position of exclusive jurisdiction, through its democratic institutions, to make laws and levy taxes in its territory and to act on the international scene for the making of agreements and treaties of any kind with other independent States and participating in various international organizations".1 An economic association with Canada would be maintained in order to preserve and further develop the free circulation of goods and services, of capital and of persons that is currently prevailing. To the same end, Quebec would continue to adhere to the North American Free Trade Agreement and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The Canadian dollar would continue to be the legal currency of Quebec. A new constitution would be drafted following a procedure to be defined by the National Assembly. This new constitution would include a charter of human rights and freedoms and provide guarantees, in a manner consistent with Quebec's territorial integrity, to the English-speaking community and to the Aboriginal nations. It would also provide for the decentralization of specific powers to local and regional authorities, together with sufficient resources. ______________ 1 Act respecting the process for determining the political and constitutional future of Quebec (S.Q., 1991, c. 34). ======================================================================= 3 Provisions are made as to the territory of a sovereign Quebec, Quebec citizenship and the continuity of treaties, international alliances and laws. In this respect, the Government of Quebec would be authorized to take over, from the Government of Canada, all services and transfer payments currently provided to Quebec citizens by the Canadian government. Several other transitional measures are provided for, including the conclusion of an agreement on the apportionment of the property and debts of Canada. THE PROCESS After undergoing an information and participation process, the draft bill will become a bill which, once passed by the National Assembly, will be submitted to the people of Quebec in a referendum. During this process, the citizens of Quebec will be invited to collectively formulate a "Declaration of Sovereignty" to constitute the preamble to the bill. The Declaration will set forth the fundamental values and main objectives of a sovereign Quebec nation. It will guide the drafting of the future Quebec constitution and may serve as inspiration for the endeavours of the people of Quebec and their representatives in the decades to come. The process the Government of Quebec intends to initiate will consist of the following: 1- publication of the draft bill; 2- a period of information and participation for the purposes of improving the bill and drafting the "Declaration of Sovereignty" which will form the preamble to the bill; 3- discussion of the bill respecting the sovereignty of Quebec, and passage by the National Assembly; 4- approval of the Act by the population in a referendum; 5- a period of discussion with Canada on the transitional measures to be set in place, particularly as regards the apportionment of property and debts; during this period the new Quebec constitution will be drafted; 6- the accession of Quebec to sovereignty. ======================================================================= 4 Draft Bill An Act respecting the sovereignty of Quebec PREAMBLE +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | DECLARATION OF SOVEREIGNTY | | | | (To follow) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ The Declaration of Sovereignty will be drafted on the basis of the suggestions made during the information and participation process to be held on the draft bill. It will set forth the fundamental values an main objectives the Quebec nation wishes to make its own once it has acquired the exclusive power to make all its laws, collect all its taxes and conclude all its treaties. ======================================================================= 5 THE PARLIAMENT OF QUEBEC ENACTS AS FOLLOWS: SOVEREIGNTY 1. Quebec is a sovereign country. ECONOMIC ASSOCIATION 2. The Government is authorized to conclude, with the Government of Canada, an agreement the purpose of which is to maintain an economic association between Quebec and Canada. Such an agreement must be approved by the National Assembly before being ratified. NEW CONSTITUTION 3. The Government shall, in accordance with the procedure determined by the National Assembly, see to the drafting of a constitution for Quebec and to its adoption. The constitution shall include a charter of human rights and freedoms. It shall guarantee the English-speaking community that its identity and institutions will be preserved. It shall also recognize the right of Aboriginal nations to self-government on lands over which they have full ownership. Such guarantee and such recognition shall be exercised in a manner consistent with the territorial integrity of Quebec. The constitution will provide for the decentralization of specific powers to local and regional authorities together with sufficient fiscal and financial resources for their exercise. TERRITORY 4. Quebec shall retain the boundaries it has within the Canadian Confederation at the time section 1 comes into force. It shall exercise its jurisdiction over the maritime areas and the territories adjoining its coastline in accordance with the terms and conditions provided by the rules of international law. ======================================================================= 6 CITIZENSHIP 5. Every person who holds Canadian citizenship and is domiciled in Quebec at the time section 1 comes into force is a Quebec citizen. Every person who, after the coming into force of section1, is born in Quebec or is born outside Quebec to a father or mother holding Quebec citizenship is also a Quebec citizen. Quebec citizenship may also be acquired in the manner determined by the National Assembly. Quebec citizenship may be held concurrently with citizenship of Canada or of any other country. CURRENCY 6. The legal currency of Quebec shall continue to be the Canadian dollar. TREATIES 7. Quebec shall assume the obligations and enjoy the rights arising out of the treaties to which Canada is a party and the international conventions to which Canada is a signatory, in accordance with the rules of international law. INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCES 8. The Government is authorized to apply for the admission of Quebec as a member of the United Nations Organization and other international bodies. 9. Quebec shall take the necessary steps to remain a member of the Commonwealth, the French-speaking community, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the North American Aerospace Defence Command, the North American Free Trade Agreement and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. ======================================================================= 7 CONTINUITY OF LAW 10. Laws passed by the Parliament of Canada that apply in Quebec at the time section 1 comes into force, and the regulations under such laws, shall remain in force until amended or repealed by the National Assembly. 11. Pensions and supplements payable to the elderly shall continue to be paid by the Government according to the same terms and conditions. Permits, licences and authorizations that have been issued shall remain in force until their expiry. 12. The courts of civil or criminal jurisdiction shall continue to exist; the judges presiding over them shall continue in their appointment and retain their authority. Cases pending may be continued until judgment. The Court of Appeal of Quebec shall become the court of highest jurisdiction until a Supreme Court is established under the new constitution provided for in section 3. The judges of the Federal Court and of the Supreme Court of Canada who were members of the Quebec Bar shall become, if they so wish, judges of the Superior Court and of the Court of Appeal of Quebec, respectively. 13. The Government may, in keeping with the procedure provided by law, appoint all persons required and take all steps necessary to facilitate the application of the Canadian Laws that continue to apply in Quebec pursuant to section 10. The sums required for the application of those laws shall be taken out of the consolidated revenue fund. In making appointments under this section, the Government shall give priority to the public servants and other employees of the Government of Canada or of an agency of body thereof who reside in Quebec. 14. Until the coming into force of the new constitution provided for in section 3, the laws, rules and conventions which govern the internal constitution of Quebec and access to English-language schools shall remain in force. ======================================================================= 8 APPORTIONMENT OF PROPERTY AND DEBTS 15. The Government may conclude, with the Government of Canada, any agreement relating to the apportionment of the property and debts of Canada, and to any other matter susceptible of facilitating the application of this Act. COMING INTO FORCE 16. This Act comes into force one year after its approval by referendum, unless the National Assembly fixes an earlier date. However, sections 2, 3 and 15 come into force on the day following the day this Act is approved by referendum. 17. This Act shall be submitted to a referendum. This Act may not come into force unless a majority of the votes cast by the electors in a referendum held in accordance with the Referendum Act on the following question are cast in the affirmative: "Are you in favour of the Act passed by the National Assembly declaring the sovereignty of Quebec? YES of NO" ======================================================================= Notes ======================================================================= ======================================================================= ======================================================================= _____________________ HOW YOU CAN _____________________ HELP SHAPE _____________________ THE HISTORY OF QUEBEC _____________________ Would you like to participate in the most important democratic exercise in the history of Quebec? Do you have a critical, divergent or opposing point of view, which you would like to express with respect to the draft legislation of the sovereignty of Quebec? If so, you will get the opportunity next February when the special commissions studying the political future of Quebec will travel throughout our various regions. Watch your local newspapers to find out when your Regional Commission will be in your area. Get involved and make your personal contribution to this pivotal debate. Individuals, associations, organizations and companies are all invited to participate and a special document will be available as of January to help you prepare your submission. ======================================================================= >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> THE END <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Friar Broccoli Robert Keith Elias (Quebec, Qc, Canada) Address: kelias@LLC.ORG OFFLINE READER: oak.oakland.edu:/SimTel/msdos/offline/YARN_077.zip -- UUNET delays ALL Usenet articles to my site by two (2) days. -- Xref: utcsri can.general:44043 can.gov.general:255 can.legal:6201 can.politics:66721 soc.culture.canada:60641 Path: utcsri!newsflash.concordia.ca!news.mcgill.ca!hookup!uwm.edu!lll-winken.llnl.gov!overload.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!utnut!torn!uunet.ca!uunet.ca!bobby-sands!usenet From: kelias@LLC.ORG (Robert Keith Elias) Newsgroups: soc.culture.canada,can.gov.general,can.general,can.legal,can.politics Subject: NO ACCENTS - Quebec's Guide to Commissions on its future (TRANSCRIPT) Date: Thu, 02 Feb 1995 19:59:11 -0500 Organization: Acces Public LLC Lines: 1100 Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: biko.llc.org Hello World; The following is as perfect an (now unaccented) copy as I could make of the official english translation of a document that was sent to all households in Quebec on about January 20th. This document is the second such document sent to all households. The contents of the first (the "Draft Bill") are entirely included within this second document. I have a french language version of the "Draft Bill" only (which was provided to me in ascii format by the government of Quebec) if anybody wants it. This document is being posted by me to provide information. ==================================================================== __________________ A GUIDE TO YOUR __________________ PARTICIPATION __________________ IN THE COMMISSIONS __________________ ON THE FUTURE __________________ OF QUEBEC __________________ QUEBEC ==================================================================== TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from the Prime Minister .............................. 3 Let your voice be heard....................................... 4 How to participate ........................................... 5 Draft Bill on the Sovereignty of Quebec How to complete the declaration of sovereignty ............... 6 The Draft Bill explained section by section................ 7-16 Positions of the political parties Position of the Parti Quebecois........................... 17-18 Position of the Bloc quebecois ........................... 19-20 Position of the Action democratique du Quebec............. 21-22 Chairpersons and addresses of commission offices.......... 23-24 2 ==================================================================== MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER Dear Quebecers, We have reached the second stage in the referendum process, which I described when the Draft Bill on the Sovereignty of Quebec was tabled in the National Assembly as an information and participation phase. I invite you to take part in the various forums available to you this February when the regional commissions on the future of Quebec hold their hearings. This guide will help you prepare for the discussions. You will find in it explanations of the sections of the Draft Bill on the Sovereignty of Quebec. It also contains information on the various ways of participating in the regional commissions, one of which will undoubtedly be suitable for you. The guide also contains the official position of the political parties represented on the commissions. This information and participation phase will be an example of democracy in action. I personally invite you to take part in defining the future of Quebec by allowing the commissions to benefit from your talents, imagination, experience and aspirations. Jacques PARIZEAU Prime Minister 3 ==================================================================== LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD The Quebec government has set up, for each region, a commission on the future of Quebec. Regardless of where you live, a commission will be holding hearings near you - in your city or town, in a neighbouring locality or on the territory of your regional county municipality. The government has also set up two other commissions, one to hear young people and the other to hear the elderly. Your commission is composed of prominent people from your area. The names of the chairpersons and the addresses of the commission offices are given at the end of this guide. It is the mandate of each commission to hear what you have to say about the Draft Bill on the Sovereignty of Quebec, about the feasibility of sovereignty and about any other possible future for Quebec. The commissions will begin work during the week of February 6 in most regions, and during the week of February 13 in Montreal and Quebec City. For the dates, times and locations of the commission hearings, consult your regional and national news media. 4 ==================================================================== HOW TO PARTICIPATE You do not have to be an expert to participate in the work of your commission. On the contrary. You may simply choose to attend the hearings of the commission or the forums that will be organized. The sessions will be public and everyone is welcome. You may choose to speak at the hearings. The commissions will organize open forums in which participants will be able to freely express themselves. You may choose to submit a written brief In this case, we suggest that you register with the secretariat of your commission so that you have more chance of being able to formally present your brief at a public session. The secretariat can also give you information about the best way to prepare a brief. Lastly, you can submit your opinion in writing without attending the gatherings organized. Just send your text to your commission by mail or by fax. The commission will take it into account in preparing its report. In regards to the presentation of briefs during public hearings, it is the prerogative of the members of the commission to establish the order in which people will speak. The chairperson sees to the respect of time allotted for the presentation of personal viewpoints and of the positions of organizations, groups or associations. If there are too many briefs for the commission to hear them all publicly, it must still read them and take them into account in its final report. 5 ==================================================================== DRAFT BILL ON THE SOVEREIGNTY OF QUEBEC HOW TO COMPLETE THE DECLARATION OF SOVEREIGNTY The birth of a country is often accompanied by a solemn declaration specifying the basic values and the main social objectives that will serve as a foundation for the new nation. Such a text, which is generally quite short (often fewer than a thousand words), is drafted to rally hearts and minds to a number of key ideas spontaneously accepted by the vast majority of citizens. It may also contain an affirmation of the principal characteristics that distinguish the new nation. The Quebec declaration should contain the main principles underlying our democratic society while supplementing them with contemporary concerns such as the equality of men and women, protection of the environment, the fight against poverty and respect for cultural diversity. All Quebecers and all groups are invited to submit either a complete declaration or particular subjects that they would like to see included in the declaration. 6 ==================================================================== The draft Bill explained section by section THE PARLIAMENT OF QUEBEC ENACTS AS FOLLOWS: SOVEREIGNTY 1. Quebec is a sovereign country. | When becoming a sovereign country, Quebec will cease to be part | of Canada. It will become an independent nation like France, the | United States of America and the other members of the United | Nations. | | Quebec will then have full control over all its taxes, and | Quebec taxpayers will no longer pay income tax or other taxes to | Ottawa. But neither will they be represented in the Canadian | Parliament. | | Current federal laws and existing treaties will remain in force, | but all new laws will be passed by the Quebec National Assembly | and new treaties will be signed by the Quebec government. ECONOMIC ASSOCIATION 2. The Government is authorized to conclude, with the Government of Canada, an agreement the purpose of which is to maintain an economic association between Quebec and Canada. Such an agreement must be approved by the National Assembly before being ratified. 7 ==================================================================== | The free movement of goods and services, of capital and of | persons that currently prevails between Quebec and Canada is not | perfect, but it is of obvious advantage to both parties. It must | be preserved for the mutual benefit of Quebec and Canada. | | At the present time, Quebec is, after the United States, the | main economic partner of Canada, while Canada is the foremost | export market for Quebec businesses. Total trade between Quebec | and Canada exceeds $100 billion. It is in the interest of both | Canada and Quebec to keep the current economic space intact. | | Quebec has clearly indicated that it does not intend to | establish a customs barrier between itself and Canada. And | Canada would contradict its own trade policy and penalize itself | if it were to do so. | | The retention of the common economic market could be enshrined | in an agreement that would lay down all its terms, like the many | economic association agreements existing throughout the world. | Such an accord could, should the parties so desire, include the | creation of intergovernmental agencies for the joint management | of certain components of the economic association, such as the | St. Lawrence Seaway. NEW CONSTITUTION 3. The Government shall, in accordance with the procedure determined by the National Assembly, see to the drafting of a constitution for Quebec and to its adoption. The constitution shall include a charter of human rights and freedoms. It shall guarantee the English-speaking community that its identity and institutions will be preserved. It shall also recognize the right of Aboriginal nations to self-government on lands over which they have full ownership. Such guarantee and such recognition shall be exercised in a manner consistent with the territorial integrity of Quebec. 8 ==================================================================== The constitution will provide for the decentralization of specific powers to local and regional authorities together with sufficient fiscal and financial resources for their exercise. | The constitution of a sovereign Quebec must reflect its long | democratic tradition, one of the oldest in the world. The | National Assembly will determine how the constitution will be | drafted, discussed and adopted. Until this new constitution | comes into effect, the present constitutional rules will apply. | | Quebec already has its own Charter of human rights and freedoms. | Its laws also guarantee the Anglophone community and the | aboriginal nations certain rights. These rights could be better | defined and protected by enshrining them in the new | constitution. | | Also, the repatriation of federal powers will pave the way for a | true decentralization in favour of local and regional | authorities. The nature of this decentralization will be | discussed with the interested parties and its main features will | be enshrined in the constitution. TERRITORY 4. Quebec shall retain the boundaries it has within the Canadian Confederation at the time section 1 comes into force. It shall exercise its jurisdiction over the maritime areas and the territories adjoining its coastline in accordance with the terms and conditions provided by the rules of international law. | Currently, Quebec's borders are clearly defined by law and are | subject to no conditions. Under the Canadian Constitution, they | cannot be changed without Quebec's consent. 9 ==================================================================== | Moreover, according to one of the most firmly established | principles of international law, a country that becomes | sovereign keeps its borders intact. | | The presence of aboriginal nations and minority ethnic groups | does not and has never prevented a country from becoming | sovereign. Indeed, rare are the countries that have become | sovereign without having minorities in their midst. Furthermore, | aboriginal and ethnic communities are protected by international | conventions that Quebec intends to respect fully. CITIZENSHIP 5. Every person who holds Canadian citizenship and is domiciled in Quebec at the time section 1 comes into force is a Quebec citizen. Every person who, after the coming into force of section 1, is born in Quebec or is born outside Quebec to a father or mother holding Quebec citizenship is also a Quebec citizen. Quebec citizenship may also be acquired in the manner determined by the National Assembly. Quebec citizenship may be held concurrently with citizenship of Canada or of any other country. | According to current Canadian law, any Canadian citizen can | obtain one or even a number of nationalities without losing his | or her Canadian citizenship. This tends to be the general rule, | given the increase in exchanges and the opening of borders. | | This would also be true in a sovereign Quebec, which would allow | its nationality to be held along with that of any other country, | including Canada. 10 ==================================================================== CURRENCY 6. The legal currency of Quebec shall continue to be the Canadian dollar. | Quebecers hold nearly a quarter of Canada's currency (bills and | deposits in banks and caisses). This represents more than $100 | billion. There is no way to take away from Quebecers what | belongs to them, or to prevent a sovereign Quebec from using the | Canadian dollar if it so wishes. | | Up to now, Quebec has never been consulted on the monetary | policy followed by the Bank of Canada (especially in regards to | interest rates). With sovereignty, the situation can only | gradually improve. TREATIES 7. Quebec shall assume the obligations and enjoy the rights arising out of the treaties to which Canada is a party and the international conventions to which Canada is a signatory, in accordance with the rules of international law. | Countries sign treaties with each other because it is in their | interest to do so. Once the treaties are signed, it is in the | interest of the signatories to maintain them. This is why | international law favours the maintenance of treaties when a new | country becomes sovereign. This is what is called ÒState | successionÓ, by which the new country succeeds automatically to | the rights and obligations of the country of which it was | formerly a part. | | Quebec will comply with this practice of the continuity of | treaties. 11 ==================================================================== INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCES 8. The Government is authorized to apply for the admission of Quebec as a member of the United Nations Organization and other international bodies. | When it is admitted to the United Nations, Quebec will become | its 185th member. It will be the 18th largest member in terms of | territory, the 11th in terms of per capita wealth and the 80th | in terms of population. | | It should be pointed out that Montreal is already the | headquarters of one of the official agencies of the United | Nations, the International Civil Aviation Organization, as well | as of many other major international institutions. | | Nowadays, it is not unusual for new countries to emerge. Over | the past ten years, some 28 countries have joined the United | Nations Organization. 9. Quebec shall take the necessary steps to remain a member particularly of the Commonwealth, the French-speaking community, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the North American Aerospace Defence Command, the North American Free Trade Agreement and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. | Quebec meets all the conditions for joining the various | alliances of which Canada is already a member. In fact, these | alliances have historical, cultural, political or economic | foundations that Quebec, like Canada, can claim. | | In some of these alliances, particularly the World Trade | Organization, which has succeeded the GATT, Quebec could be | admitted simply by State succession. In other cases, like the | North American Free Trade Agreement, admission could also be by | State succession with the consent of the signatories. 12 ==================================================================== CONTINUITY OF LAW 10. Laws passed by the Parliament of Canada that apply in Quebec at the time section 1 comes into force, and the regulations under such laws, shall remain in force until amended or repealed by the National Assembly. 11. Pensions and supplements payable to the elderly shall continue to be paid by the Government according to the same terms and conditions. Permits, licences and authorizations that have been issued shall remain in force until their expiry. 12. The courts of civil or criminal jurisdiction shall continue to exist; the judges presiding over them shall continue in their appointment and retain their authority. Cases pending may be continued until judgment. The Court of Appeal of Quebec shall become the court of highest jurisdiction until a Supreme Court is established under the new constitution provided for in section 3. The judges of the Federal Court and of the Supreme Court of Canada who were members of the Quebec Bar shall become, if they so wish, judges of the Superior Court and of the Court of Appeal of Quebec, respectively. 13. The government may, in keeping with the procedure provided by law, appoint all persons required and take all steps necessary to facilitate the application of the Canadian laws that continue to apply in Quebec pursuant to section 10. The sums required for the application of those laws shall be taken out of the consolidated revenue fund. In making appointments under this section, the Government shall give priority to the public servants and other employees of the Government of Canada or of an agency or body thereof who reside in Quebec. 13 ==================================================================== 14. Until the coming into force of the new constitution provided for in section 3, the laws, rules and conventions which govern the internal constitution of Quebec and access to English-language schools shall remain in force. | Explanation of sections 10 to 14 | | There will not be any legal vacuum when Quebec becomes | sovereign. All the necessary steps will have been taken for the | Quebec government to immediately take over from the federal | government. | | In most cases, services will continue to be provided by the same | public servants and other employees of the federal government | working in Quebec, who will simply perform their duties as | before, but as employees of the Quebec government. In other | cases, measures will be taken so that people receive federal | services with no interruption. | | All federal public servants and other employees residing in | Quebec will be able to become employees of the Quebec government | if they wish to do so. Their services will be required to enable | Quebec to take over from the federal government. This is why the | Draft Bill on the Sovereignty of Quebec provides that they be | hired as a priority to carry out the new duties assumed by the | Quebec government. APPORTIONMENT OF PROPERTY AND DEBTS 15. The government may conclude, with the government of Canada, any agreement relating to the apportionment of the property and debts of Canada, and to any other matter susceptible of facilitating the application of this Act. | The rules of international law governing the apportionment of | property and debts in the event of the accession to sovereignty | of a new country are quite complex and depend upon the 14 ==================================================================== | particular circumstances of the countries involved. But there | are plenty of examples on which to draw upon since many | countries have had to carry out such an arrangement. | | Quebec is prepared to comply with the rules of international law | and to conclude with Canada an agreement on the apportionment of | property and debts that will supplement the arrangements to be | made on transitional measures and on the retention of the common | economic market. COMING INTO FORCE 16. This Act comes into force one year after its approval by referendum, unless the National Assembly fixes an earlier date. However, section 2, 3 and 15 come into force on the day following the day this Act is approved by referendum. | Quebec will not become a sovereign country on the day after the | referendum. Accession to sovereignty must be carefully prepared | and discussions must be held with the Government of Canada on | the manner of apportioning Canada's property and debts, on the | best ways to retain the common economic market and on the | various other transitional measures. | | The one-year transition period provided for in the Draft Bill | was that recommended by the Belanger-Campeau Commission and | specified in the Act respecting the process for determining the | political and constitutional future of Quebec (Bill 150), | adopted by the National Assembly in 1991. | | This period may, of course, prove to be too long, and the | National Assembly will be able to adjust it accordingly. | | However, the legal provisions required to prepare accession to | sovereignty, like those dealing with negotiations with Canada | and the drafting of a new constitution, will come into effect | soon after the Draft Bill has been approved by the people. 15 ==================================================================== 17. This Act shall be submitted to a referendum. This Act may not come into force unless a majority of the votes cast by the electors in a referendum held in accordance with the Referendum Act on the following question are cast in the affirmative: "Are you in favour of the Act passed by the National Assembly declaring the sovereignty of Quebec? YES or NO" | The Referendum Act, adopted in 1978, provides that a referendum | may be held either on a question or on a draft bill. | | When a referendum is held on a draft bill, the Referendum Act | provides that the bill must first be adopted by the National | Assembly, but it cannot become an effective law unless it is | approved by a majority of the votes in the referendum. | | The majority rule provided in the Draft Bill is the rule | universally followed by all democratic societies in determining | the political future of a nation. 16 ==================================================================== All Quebec parliamentarians, in both the National Assembly and the House of Commons, have been invited to sit on the commissions. The constitutional positions of each of the parties that have agreed to do so are given in the following pages. The Liberal Party of Canada, the Liberal Party of Quebec and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada declined the invitation. THE POSITION OF THE PARTI QUEBECOIS In keeping with the undertaking it had made, the Parti Quebecois has, less than three months after taking office, launched the referendum process leading up to the attainment of sovereignty. All attempts to win a greater role and more powers for Quebec within Canada have been rejected by English Canada. Now, for the first time, the citizens of Quebec will be able to fashion the future of their country themselves, based on their own agenda, without seeking prior approval from anyone else. What does the sovereignty of the Quebec mean? A consensus has emerged: according to the definitions adopted by the Parti Quebecois, the Belanger-Campeau Commission and the National Assembly, sovereignty essentially consists of the power to pass all laws, collect all taxes and sign all treaties. PASSING ALL OUR OWN LAWS Once it is a sovereign country, Quebec will be able to pass all its own laws and implement the policies it needs to achieve the goals of economic prosperity, environmental protection, equity and social justice. For example, Quebec could adopt a full employment policy, a regional development policy, an anti-poverty strategy, a fairer taxation system, and policies aimed at more equal distribution of the collective wealth. Quebec will also be able to act freely in the field of manpower training, and make it a cornerstone of an economic modernization strategy. Sovereignty will enable the people of Quebec to take control of the levers of power in sectors vital to their cultural identity, such as broadcasting and telecommunications. Having recovered full legislative and judicial powers, a sovereign Quebec could finally promote its own development as a country of French language and culture; it could introduce a linguistic policy in keeping with its legitimate aspirations, which the federal system prevents it from doing. In short, making Quebec a sovereign French-speaking country, while respecting the rights of the anglophone community and of aboriginal nations, iS the best means to ensure the survival and full development of the Quebec people within North America. COLLECTING ALL OUR OWN TAXES In a sovereign Quebec, citizens will no longer have to fill in two income tax returns, and businesses and organizations will no longer have to deal with two levels of government bureaucracy. 17 ==================================================================== By reclaiming all the taxes now sent to Ottawa, transferring federal services to Quebec, dividing up assets and the debt, and eliminating duplications and overlap, Quebec will be able to put its financial house in order. We will then be in a position to act and make investments on the basis of our own interest and priorities. Quebec will be able to more effectively support regional development, the creation of small businesses, education and job market entry for young people, manpower training, and research and development. For example, since 1979 Quebec has received 18% of federal R&D spending, although it accounts for 25% of Canada's population and 23% of federal revenues. A sovereign Quebec will also be able to consolidate all existing family support tax measures (such as federal and provincial tax credits for dependent children and federal and provincial tax deductions for child care expenses) into a single, coherent family policy. With the increased revenues raised by collecting all taxes, the Government of Quebec will be able to start paying old age pensions and providing other services now delivered by Ottawa, immediately and without delay. And it will be able to provide theses services at a lower cost, by eliminating duplications and overlap and by rationalizing its spending. For beneficiaries, the only difference will be that the cheque will come from Quebec instead of Ottawa. SIGNING ALL OUR OWN TREATIES Through sovereignty, Quebec will acquire what is incontestably the most important power of the modern state: the authority to sign treaties and thereby to enter freely into cooperative arrangements with other states. Sovereignty will enable us to look outward, to defend our interests in the world, and to make our voice heard in the community of nations. In an age of globalization characterized by the expansion of international linkages and the proliferation of international agreements governing trade, science, technology, culture and other matters, it is easy to foresee that without sovereignty Quebec will find itself increasingly powerless in areas where its vitals interests are at stake. It will have to stand idly by and watch passively as international agreements are signed and associations are formed without Quebec's involvement. Today, an international presence means more than embassies abroad and membership in the United Nations; it means representation on trade panels, being able to negotiate exemptions for struggling industries, setting agricultural quotas, signing patent protection conventions, and so forth. Only one government can or should defend our interests in international forums; only one government can or should speak on behalf of the citizens of Quebec; and that government is the Government of Quebec. 18 ==================================================================== THE POSITION OF THE BLOC QUEBECOIS "TOGETHER MAKING QUEBEC A COUNTRY" Quebec has searched in vain, for more than thirty years, to obtain through constitutional reform, the powers necessary to ensure its economic development and to unite its cultural identity. Time after time, its governments failed in their attempts to change the federal system towards their profound aspirations. It is revealing enough to note that the only successful reform was made by force, and was contrary to the interests and the will of Quebec. After having imposed the 1982 Constitution on Quebec, English Canada refused, in 1990, to recognize, even symbolically, Quebec as a distinct society. The rejection of the Meech Lake Accord, based upon the most timid conditions formulated by a Quebec government, confirmed the inability of the federal system to reform itself in order to respond to Quebec's needs. Two years later, at the end of negotiations, Quebecers as well as Canadians rejected the Charlottetown compromise, extinguishing in this way hopes for any projects to reform federalism. Quebecers are presented with two options: the status quo within a federal system or sovereignty, or in other words the choice between resignation or emancipation. The status quo implies the continuance of the centralization of powers in Ottawa initiated with the 1982 Constitution, and completely incompatible with Quebec's traditional claims aimed at new power-sharing. The reform of social programs launched by the federal government allows it to interfere even more in education, health, work-force training and social assistance, fields that nonetheless fall under Quebec's jurisdiction. FOUNDERING FEDERALISM With a federal debt of more than $550 billion, we no longer have the means to afford a federalism of confrontation and foundering, perpetuating the futile disputes between Ottawa and Quebec, the former wanting national government, the latter responding to Quebecers desire to act as their true government. The multiplication of overlaps and administrative duplications between Ottawa and Quebec brings about waste and unacceptable inefficiency. During these challenging times requiring a global economy, neither must we devote our vital energies towards the Ottawa-Quebec disputes, but rather toward job creation, regional development and work-force training. In acceding to sovereignty, Quebecers will give themselves the means to have a more efficient government. Sovereignty, as the National Assembly already defined it, is "the exclusive capability of Quebec, by its democratic institutions, to make its laws, to raise its taxes on its territory and to act in the international arena in concluding all forms of agreements or treaties with other independent States." To this end, a sovereign Quebec could participate in the North American Free Trade Agreement, as well as in the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT). Given the importance of trade between 19 ==================================================================== Quebec and Canada an their mutual interest in maintaining it, the Bloc Quebecois advocates the preservation, even the reinforcement of their economic association in a manner that would ensure the free flow of people, goods and capital. Use of the Canadian dollar as legal Quebec currency is included in this will to maintain the common economic space. As well, Quebec should assume its fair portion of the debt by way of an agreement on an equitable sharing of Canada's assets and debt. RESPECT FOR RIGHTS A sovereign Quebec must be at the fore-front in the respect of fundamental rights by enshrining the Quebec Charter of Human Rights in the Constitution. The historical rights of its Anglophone community to maintain its identity and its institutions, as well as the recognition of the native nations' right to governmental autonomy, while respecting the territorial integrity of Quebec, should equally be guaranteed by the Quebec Constitution. A tolerant and welcoming land for immigrants, a sovereign Quebec will develop and function in French, while respecting the cultural contribution of newcomers. The values of equal opportunity and social justice must be inscribed as fundamental for a sovereign Quebec. The latter will not accept being "broken in two" and will fiercely fight against poverty with a policy of full employment and a decentralization of powers towards the regions. The right to education and cultural access must also be among the fundamental values of a sovereign Quebec concerned with reinforcing its cultural identity as a pluralistic Francophone society, open to the world. The Bloc Quebecois will fully participate in the consultation process proposed by the Quebec government in its draft bill on sovereignty. This process allows each citizen to contribute in explicitly defining the fundamental values of a sovereign Quebec that will be integrated into the Constitution. It is up to Quebecers, and Quebecers alone to define the paths of their political future. In May 1980, Rene Levesque said to us: "Next time!" The next time is now. Quebecers once again have a rendez-vous with History, it is up to us to make a country of Quebec. 20 ==================================================================== POSITION OF THE ACTION DEMOCRATIQUE DU QUEBEC "The debate on the political and constitutional future of Quebec must provide an opportunity for all citizens to express their opinion. As part of this reflection on the future of our society by a broad spectrum of the population, I am pleased to introduce the new partnership with Canadians that is described in the constitutional option of the Action democratique du Quebec. I invite you to take the time to read these pages and to share with us your thoughts concerning the proposal that we are making at this crucial juncture in our history." Mario Dumont Leader of the Action democratique du Quebec Member of the National Assembly for Riviere-du-Loup UNITED IN A NEW QUEBEC-CANADA PARTNERSHIP The Action democratique du Quebec proposes a constitutional option that will make it possible to reconcile two fundamental objectives that, in our history, have always been the foundation of our society: being masters in our own home and finally being full-fledged partners in an entity that economics, history and geography have forged over generations, i.e. the Canadian entity. This partnership will give us the means to realize our economic strength, to ensure that each person can work, to offer our young people a high quality educational system, to provide a good health care system, to manage our resources in a sound manner and to create a social climate in which people of all origins can develop their potential to the fullest and live in harmony. A NEW QUEBEC-CANADA UNION The Action democratique du Quebec proposes to our Canadian partners a modern new union, similar to the European Union, in which each partner retains its rights and powers, and whose operation is based on the existence of a common parliament. The purpose of this new union and its parliament is to ensure the greatest possible economic and political stability, and to preserve the achievements of many centuries of cohabitation. While this option ensures the exclusivity of the jurisdictions traditionally sought by Quebec, it also enables Canada's economic space to be consolidated. THE PARLIAMENT OF THE UNION The Action democratique du Quebec envisions the creation of a parliament for the new union composed of elected representatives of the member states. Jurisdiction over the following could be delegated to the parliament: * the free movement of people, goods, services and capital within the union; * international trade, and customs and tariff policy; * payment of the joint debt; 21 ==================================================================== * maintenance of a common currency, a central bank and the regulation of chartered banks; * a responsibility for an economic balance among the various regions in the union; * a fiscal power limited to the exercise of its jurisdictions; * union citizenship and international representation in the jurisdictions devolving to the union; * postal services; * the army; * a charter of rights and freedoms as a standard governing the activity of the parliament of the union; * the formation of courts to rule on matters arising from the competence of the union's parliament and to interpret the legislation founding the union; * general immigration policies under negotiated agreements; * the establishment of environmental standards under negotiated agreements. A REFERENDUM FOR A NEW UNION Quebec alone has not signed the Canadian Constitution. The repeated failures of the last attempts to bring Quebec into the Canadian fold have clearly demonstrated the constitutional stalemate. Quebecers are not partners in this country. Because Quebecers can no longer believe in the possibility of reform of the Canadian Constitution, they must, in a calm and responsible manner, exercise their right to sovereignty through a referendum, while at the same time proposing the creation of the new economic and political union. At a time when our true economic rivals are on other continents, the new partnership that the Action democratique du Quebec proposes will make it possible to settle the quarrels between partners and to work together at last to meet the requirements of the new global economic reality. RECOVERY HERE IN QUEBEC FIRST Before a referendum is held on our constitutional and political future, the Quebec government must propose a vigorous plan for recovery in the economy, public finances and democracy. Quebecers know that, with an alarming unemployment rate, a deficit exceeding $5.7 billion, a total debt in the neighbourhood of $70 billion, priority must be given to social and economic security. And they are right. To be masters in our own home, we must first have jobs, economic development, a high quality educational system and responsible management of public finances, while living within our means. The approach proposed by the Action democratique du Quebec will restore Quebecers' confidence and enable them to look to the future with ambition. 22 ==================================================================== CHAIRPERSONS AND ADDRESSES OF COMMISSION OFFICES Commission du Bas-Saint-Laurent : Commission de Montreal sur l'avenir sur l'avenir du Quebec : du Quebec Ms. Rita Giguere, Chairperson : Mr. Marcel Masse, Chairperson 337, rue Moreault, 2e etage : 770, rue Sherbrooke Ouest, 4e etage Rimouski (Quebec) : Place Mercantile G6L 1P4 : Montreal (Quebec) Tel.: (418) 727-3926 : H3A 1G1 Fax: (418) 727-3929 : Tel.: (514) 864-9308 : Fax: (514) 873-2197 : Commission du Saguenay-Lac- : Saint-Jean sur l'avenir du Quebec : Commission de l'Outaouais sur Mr. Rejean Simard, Chairperson : l'avenir du Quebec 3950, boul. Harvey, 2e etage : Mr. Antoine Gregoire, Chairperson Jonquiere (Quebec) : 170, rue Hotel-de-Ville G7X 8L6 : Bureau 7.340 Tel.: (418) 695-8156 : Hull (Quebec) Fax: (418) 695-8161 : J8X 4C2 : Tel.: (819) 772-3572 : Fax: (819) 772-3595 Commission de la capitale sur : l'avenir du Quebec : Mr. Jean-Paul L'Allier, Chairperson : Commission de l'Abitibi- 425, rue Saint-Amable : Temiscamingue sur l'avenir du 2e etage : Quebec Quebec (Quebec) : Mr. Jules Arsenault, Chairperson G1R 4Z1 : 180, boul. Rideau Tel.: (418) 528-2057 : Bureau RC.1.03 Fax: (418) 528-1597 : Rouyn-Noranda (Quebec) : J9X 1N9 : Tel.: (819) 762-2828 Commission de la Mauricie-Bois- : Fax: (819) 762-2898 Francs sur l'avenir du Quebec : Mr. Gilles Boulet, Chairperson : 100, rue Laviolette : Commission de la Cote-Nord sur Bureau 419 : l'avenir du Quebec Trois-Rivieres (Quebec) : Ms. Anne-Marie Hickey, Chairperson G9A 5S9 : 456, ave Arnaud Tel.: (819) 371-6782 : Bureau 1.09 Fax: (819) 371-6791 : Sept-Iles (Quebec) : G4R 3B1 : Tel.: (418) 968-2057 Commission de l'Estrie sur l'avenir : Fax: (418) 968-4638 du Quebec : Ms. Lynn Charpentier, Chairperson : 200, rue Belvedere Nord, 4e etage, : Commission de la Gaspesie-iles-de- Bureau 4.05 : Ia-Madeleine sur l'avenir du Quebec Sherbrooke (Quebec) : Mr. Jules Belanger, Chairperson J1H 4A9 : 96, Montee Sandy Beach Tel.: (819) 820-3700 : 2e etage Fax: (819) 820-3706 : Gaspe (Quebec) : G0C 1R0 : Tel.: (418) 368-8704 : Fax: (418) 368-6345 : 23 ==================================================================== Commission de Chaudiere- : Commission des Laurentides sur Appalaches sur l'avenir du Quebec : l'avenir du Quebec Ms. Danielle-Maude Gosselin, : Ms. Lucie Papineau, Chairperson Chairperson : 85, rue De Martigny Ouest 700, av. Notre-Dame Nord : Bureau 2.18 Bureau D : Saint-Jerome (Quebec) Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce (Quebec) : J7Y 3R8 G6E 2K9 : Tel.: (514) 569-3219 Tel.: (418) 387-7255 : Fax: (514) 569-3224 Fax: (418) 387-7566 : : : Commission de la Monteregie sur Commission de Laval sur l'avenir : I'avenir du Quebec du Quebec : Mr. Marcel Robidas, Chairperson Mr. Philippe Garceau, Chairperson : 201, place Charles-Lemoyne, 2e etage 2800, boul. St-Martin Ouest : Bureau 2.01 RC 03E : Longueuil (Quebec) Laval (Quebec) : J4K 2T5 H7T 2S9 : Tel.: (514) 928-5070 Tel.: (514) 978-4875 : Fax: (514) 928-5075 Fax: (514) 978-0549 : : : Commission des ainees Commission de Lanaudiere sur : et des aines sur l'avenir du Quebec l'avenir du Quebec : Ms. Monique Vezina, Chairperson Mr. Louis-Paul Allard, Chairperson : 454, place Jacques-Cartier 138, rue Saint-Paul : 5e etage Joliette (Quebec) : Montreal (Quebec) J6E 5G3 : H2Y 3W3 Tel.: (514) 752-6921 : Tel.: (514) 873-7377 Fax: (514) 752-6926 : Fax: (514) 873-7704 : : : Commission des jeunes sur l'avenir : du Quebec : Mr. Marc-Andre Coallier, Chairperson : 454, place Jacques-Cartier : 5e etage : Montreal (Quebec) : E2Y 3W3 : Tel.: (514) 873-7730 : Fax: (514) 873-8378 A single toll-free telephone number for your commission: 1 800 381-2425 A single toll-free fax number for your commission: 1 800 382-2425 La version francaise est disponible sur demande 1 800 363-3043 Gouvernement du Quebec Ministere du Conseil executif Secretariat national des commissions sur l'avenir du Quebec 24 ==================================================================== Friar Broccoli Robert Keith Elias (Quebec, Qc, Canada) Address: kelias@LLC.ORG OFFLINE READER: oak.oakland.edu:/SimTel/msdos/offline/YARN_077.zip -------- I consider ALL arguments in support of my views. --------