The Resignation of the Honourable Sheila Copps, M.P.:

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