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Over the past two years, federal, provincial, territorial and Aboriginal
leaders have consulted with thousands of Canadians and concerned groups from
coast to coast. These consultations included Royal Commissions, participatory

- conferences, parliamentary hearings, and hearings in the provinces and territo-

ries held by provincial and territorial legislatures.
Federal, provincial, territorial ‘and Aboriginal

MYT leaders have agreed unanimously on August 28,
p| 1992 in Charlottetown on a package of constitu-
Ad tional proposals that recognizes the equality of

ZU yim lily Mall Canadians and represents all of our interests.
The agreement is now before Canadians.

The agreement proposes that the new
Constitution would contain a statement of key economic and social objectives
shared by all of the governments in the federation. The objectives include
comprehensive, universal, portable, accessible and publicly administered health
care, adequate social services and benefits, high quality primary and secondary
education and reasonable access to post-secondary education, collective bar-
gaining rights and a commitment to protecting
the environment. The economic policy objec-
tives to be entrenched would be aimed at
strengthening the Canadian economic union;
the free movement of persons, goods, services,
and capital; ensuring full employment and a
reasonable standard of living for all Canadians;
ensuring sustainable and equitable development.

Exclusive provincial jurisdiction would be recognized in the areas of
forestry, mining, tourism, housing, recreation, municipal affairs, cultural matters
within the province, and labour market development and training. In addition,
to ensure the two levels of government work in
harmony, the government of Canada commits to
eee negotiating agreements with the provinces in areas
EST such as immigration, regional development and

Avoiding

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H telecommunications. Federal-provincial agree-
Society ments on any subject could be protected by the
Constitution from unilateral change.

The new Canadian Constitution would
recognize the distinct nature of Quebec, based on its French language, unique
Culture and civil law tradition.

    

 

HIGHLIGHTS

 

In the reformed Parliament, the Senate would reflect the equality of the
provinces while the House of Commons would be based more on the principle of
representation by population. As well, various
provinces would be assured a minimum amount
of seats in the House of Commons,

The proposed Senate would be made
Reform up of six elected senators from each province
and one from each territory. Additional seats
would provide representation for Aboriginal
peoples. The reformed Senate’s powers should
significantly increase the role of the elected Senators in the policy process.

The proposals recognize that Aboriginal peoples have an inherent
right to self-government and that the Constitution should enable them to
develop self-government arrangements and to take their place in the Canadian
federation. The proposals recognize Aboriginal governments as one of the
three constitutionally recognized orders of government in Canada. In addition,
the proposals provide for a negotiation process betweea Aboriginal leaders and
provincial and federal governments to put this right into effect. The recognition
of the inherent right would not create any new
rights to land, nor dilute existing treaty rights.

Now that Canada’s federal, provincial,
territorial and Aboriginal leaders have reached
a consensus, it is the right of all Canadians to To
understand the new proposals. Call the toll-free Government
number below to receive an easy-to-read
booklet on the new constitutional agreement
or a complete text.

It's your right to know what the constitutional proposals say, before
voting on October 26.

FOR INFORMATION CALL:
1-800-561-1188

Deaf or hearing impaired:

1-800-465-7735 (TTY/TDD)

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