MINISTER STÉPHANE DION CONDEMNS
THE SPECTACLE BY THE BLOC IN FRONT
OF THE SUPREME COURT
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, September 18, 1997 – During a scrum today, Minister
Dion said that, as a Quebecer, he found embarrassing the unfortunate spectacle
put on by the Bloc in front of the Supreme Court about an issue as serious as
the legality of a unilateral declaration of independence. Quoting the leader of
the Bloc, Mr. Gilles Duceppe, who claimed to be basing himself on a political
right, rather than a legal right, Mr. Dion asked the following question:
"Can a political right that is not legal override the legal rights of
citizens?"
Mr. Dion specified that there are three basic principles that must be respected
with regard to secession. The first principle is that governments must make a
commitment never to use force or to resort to the threat of force against
populations claiming what they believe to be their rights. Mr. Dion pointed out
that the argument of police force has been raised on more than one occasion by
Quebec’s Intergovernmental Affairs Minister, Mr. Brassard, whereas the
Government of Canada has made a commitment not to resort to the use of force.
The second principle raised by the Minister is clarity. Mr. Dion stated that the
procedure leading to secession must be clear, so as to avoid any confusion as to
the real will of citizens.
The third principle set out by Mr. Dion deals with legality of procedure. The
Minister noted that he had never seen in democracy, "a government depart
from legality, place itself in illegality, and demand obedience of its
citizens."
Minister Dion stated that, in his opinion, neither the Constitution nor
international law gives a secessionist government the right to declare
independence unilaterally. "That is why we have referred this matter to the
Supreme Court of Canada. The comments this week by Messrs Bouchard and Parizeau
reiterating their intention to resort to a unilateral declaration of
independence confirm the importance of our obtaining clarification as to the
legality of such a move," the Minister stated.
-30-
For information: André Lamarre
Press Secretary
(613) 943-1838