Department of Justice

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO RESPOND TO QUEBEC'S POSITION IN COURT CASE

OTTAWA , May 10, 1996 -- The Attorney General of Canada, Allan Rock, announced today that the federal government will appear in Quebec Superior Court next week to respond to the position taken by the Attorney General of Quebec on a preliminary motion. The motion has been brought by the Quebec government in relation to a legal action initiated by Mr. Guy Bertrand. The Quebec government is seeking to have the case dismissed.

Mr. Rock emphasized that Quebec is questioning the relevance and applicability of the Constitution to Quebec separation and the jurisdiction of Canadian courts to consider these matters. "As Attorney General of Canada, I have a duty to protect the integrity of the Constitution and to uphold the role of the courts as the prime defenders of the Constitution and the rule of law," said Mr. Rock.

In explaining the circumstances surrounding the federal government's decision to appear in the case, Mr. Rock pointed out that the federal government did not initiate the action. It was instigated by Mr. Bertrand as a private citizen who has, pursuant to Quebec law, involved the federal government as a third party.

Mr. Bertrand is a Quebec City lawyer who is challenging the constitutionality of several aspects of the Quebec Government's sovereignty agenda.

Ref.:  Jennifer Lang               Mary Dawson
       Minister's Office           Department of Justice
       (613) 992-4621              (613) 957-4898
       
       Warren Newman               Philippe Lortie 
       Department of Justice       Department of Justice
       (613) 952-8091              (613) 957-4918