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December 9, 1997
(Executive Council)


Premier Tobin pleased House of Commons passes Term 17

The House of Commons, today, approved the resolution to amend Term 17. Premier Tobin stated: "I am delighted that the House of Commons has expeditiously dealt with the resolution, paving the way for a new single school system for the children of Newfoundland and Labrador. The vote in the House of Commons respects the unanimous endorsement of the resolution to amend Term 17 by the provincial legislature."

The vote in the House of Commons followed consideration of the Report of the Special Joint House of Commons and Senate Committee on the Amendment to Term 17 of the Terms of Union of Newfoundland. The committee was co-chaired by the MP for Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte Gerry Byrne and Senator Joyce Fairbairn.

The amendment to Term 17 must now be dealt with in the Senate and Premier Tobin urged the senators to deal swiftly with it, to ensure that the new Schools' Act can be passed in time to facilitate changes necessary to have the new system in place for September 1998.

The Senate will vote on the Quebec amendment on Thursday, December 11, 1997, and it is hoped the vote on the Newfoundland amendment will follow immediately thereafter.

Premier Tobin said that notice has been given in the House of Assembly that the new Schools' Act is ready for introduction. He cautioned that any delay in the Senate would result in the loss of another full year in the reform process at considerable expense for the taxpayers of the province.

"It has been a long and difficult process, but I am confident education reform will finally proceed in a way that benefits the children of Newfoundland and Labrador. On behalf of the people of the province, I want to express my gratitude to MP Gerry Byrne and Senator Fairbairn for their leadership in guiding the resolution through the Committee process and the Government of Canada for expediting this matter in the House of Commons," concluded Premier Tobin.

Contact: Heidi Bonnell, (709) 729-3960.

1997 12 09                                     8:00 p.m.


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