Premier welcomes court ruling regarding Term 17

Premier Brian Tobin today welcomed the Newfoundland Court of Appeal decision upholding the constitutionality of Term 17, the constitutional amendment which paved the way for education reform in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In its ruling, the Court of Appeal also reversed a lower court order that would have required the province to reimburse the Roman Catholic Church $135,000 for its No campaign prior to the 1997 education referendum.

"Now is the time to put this chapter behind us," said the premier. "Now that the legal matters have been dealt with, it is time for the community to work together to build the best education system possible for the children of Newfoundland and Labrador."

Media contact: Heidi Bonnell, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3564.

2000 02 28                                                             4:05 p.m.