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The Resignation of the Honourable Sheila Copps, M.P.:
May 1, 1996
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today accepted the resignation
of the Honourable Sheila Copps as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Canadian Heritage.
The Prime Minister also announced that a by-election will be held
in Hamilton East on June 17, 1996.
In the interim, the Honourable Lucienne Robillard will serve as
acting Minister of Canadian Heritage.
Attached is an exchange of correspondence between the Prime Minister
and Ms. Copps.
PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
April 30, 1996
The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien, PC, MP
Prime Minister of Canada
Langevin Building
Ottawa
K1A 0A2
Dear Prime Minister,
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as Deputy Prime Minister of our magnificent country. Thank you also for your unswerving personal support of me.
As you know, I have spoken with my family and closest friends over the last few days to advise them of my decision to resign as the Member of Parliament for Hamilton East. I gave my word and I will keep my word.
You have set integrity as a benchmark of people in public life and I agree with you one hundred percent.
The people of Hamilton East have been exceptionally good to me over many years. I owe it to Hamiltonians to allow them to pass judgement on whether I should be their Member of Parliament.
I certainly hope that I shall have the opportunity to serve you, the people of Hamilton East and the people of Canada in the near future.
Sincerely,
ORIGINAL SIGNED
BY SHEILA COPPS
May 1, 1996
The Honourable Sheila Copps, P.C., M.P.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Canadian Heritage
Room 509-S Centre Block
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Dear Sheila:
I am writing to accept the decision to resign from the Ministry,
which you conveyed to me in our meetings and in writing yesterday.
I know this decision cannot have been an easy one. But I know
how strongly you feel and how committed you are to receiving a
vote of confidence from your electors in Hamilton East. I congratulate
you for your courage and your commitment to the democratic process
- this is what integrity in politics is all about. Your colleagues
in Cabinet, in Caucus, and in the Liberal Party across Canada
are all proud of you.
I wish you the best of luck in Hamilton East. And I look forward
to your return to Parliament and to Cabinet.
Sincerely,
ORIGINAL SIGNED
BY JEAN CHRÉTIEN
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