Department of Justice

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NOT TO INTERVENE IN LIBMAN CASE

OTTAWA, November 20,1996 -- Allan Rock, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced today that the government will not file a notice of intervention in the Supreme Court of Canada case challenging the constitutionality of Quebec's referendum law. The

federal government is satisfied that the court will have representation from all relevant points of view in

the matter.

"The federal government is confident that the Supreme Court of Canada will have before it all the arguments necessary to make an informed decision on the law's constitutionality," said Minister Rock. "We believe that counsel for Mr. Libman and the Attorney General of Quebec will put before the Court all the important legal issues dealing with certain provisions of Quebec's Referendum Act," added Minister Rock.

The case, Robert Libman v. Attorney General of Quebec, arises from the 1992 referendum on the Charlottetown constitutional Accord. Robert Libman, former leader of Quebec's Equality Party, contends that the Quebec referendum law violates constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech and association in Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The law prevents anyone from spending money during a referendum unless approval is given by one of the official provincial Yes or No umbrella committees.

Minister Rock pointed out that there are a number of other cases before the courts dealing with issues relevant to Canada's future. "Individuals are free to pursue any legal avenues they consider appropriate. In some cases, the federal government may feel that it can be of assistance to the court, or it may see a need to present its own view. That is not, however, the case here," said Minister Rock.

Ref.:  Jennifer Lang      Mary Dawson
       Minister's office  Department of Justice
       (613)992-4621      (613)957-4898