May 7, 1996
(Executive Council)

Premier Tobin calls upon federal government to proceed with 
approval of constitutional amendment to Term 17

Premier Brian Tobin called today upon the federal government to proceed with the approval of the constitutional amendment on Term 17. Premier Tobin says the constitutional amendment is necessary to give permanence to reform of the education system in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"We said during the recent election campaign that we would be proceeding with reform as outlined during the referendum on Term 17. That remains our position today. The amendment that was put before the people of this province in a referendum should be passed by the parliament of Canada without further delay," said Premier Tobin.

Premier Tobin says if the federal government is proceeding with reductions in transfers for education to all the provinces, "it must proceed with the constitutional amendment with equal haste. It would be unacceptable for the federal government to impose education cuts on Newfoundland and Labrador and then to delay in the implementation of the means to achieve the efficiencies we need to bring about."

Premier Tobin says while the recent talks between the churches and government on the implementation of education reform have made considerable progress, "the talking is far from finished. The final outcome of those discussions must remain true to the referendum results in the province. No other outcome is acceptable. Those who believe that talks to implement reform many negate the need to proceed with an amendment to Term 17 are fooling themselves. This province in the next few years will have to face the difficult task of finding the savings to live within our means. We can no longer afford to drag on a divisive debate about the role of the churches in education. One need only to visit Rigolet or Hopedale on the Labrador coast to realize education reform must be about securing the future of our children."

Contact: Cathy Coady, Director of Communications, (709) 729-3564.