Department of Justice

STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF JUSTICE

Ottawa, May 27, 1997 - Allan Rock, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada today clarified for the public record an issue coming out of today's newspaper reports.

"It is apparent from the documents that have already been made public and filed with the Supreme Court of Canada that the Deputy Minister of Justice briefed me during the evening of March 6, 1996 regarding a meeting and correspondence between Chief Justice Isaac and Mr. Ted Thompson. The briefing had to be scheduled around Budget Day obligations including press announcements and media interviews on child support changes. My briefing with the Deputy Minister was the first time that I had been informed of the issue regarding a meeting and correspondence between Chief Justice Isaac and Ted Thompson. At that briefing, the Deputy Minister advised me of the proposal of the Department of Justice to inform opposing counsel of the meeting and provide copies to them of correspondence between Chief Justice Isaac and Mr. Thompson. Before the correspondence was released, I asked for time to review the documentation overnight, which I did. The next day, March 7, after completing previously agreed to media interviews relating to the Budget, I indicated my support for the Department's proposed course of action. I understand departmental counsel in Toronto was informed of the decision at 2:05 p.m. on March 7, less than 24 hours after I was first briefed on the matter."

Ref.: Wendy Sailman
      Communications
      Department of Justice
      (613) 957-4211