Premier Pat Binns, Opposition Leader Keith Milligan, and Dr. Herb Dickieson, Leader of the Third Party, announced today they wish to have an all-party consultation with the people of Prince Edward Island on the principles agreed to by the Premiers in Calgary on September 14, 1997.
"It is in the interests of all Islanders to contribute to national political stability. We, as political leaders, are very committed to finding accommodation with Quebec in the tradition of nation building which has been the Island way since 1864."
The Select Standing Committee on the Constitution of Canada, Chaired by MLA Don MacKinnon, is asked to receive submissions from interested individuals and organizations and report to the Legislature this fall. Premier Binns, Mr. Milligan, and Dr. Dickieson, already members of the Committee, will act as special sponsors of the Committee's work and its report to the Legislature. Other members of the Committee are: Honourable Pat Mella, Honourable Mitch Murphy, Honourable Mildred Dover, Mr. Robert Maddix, Ms. Nancy Guptill, and Mr. Jamie Ballem.
To ensure access to Islanders, Committee members have been asked to schedule a meeting in each of the three counties.
The three leaders have agreed to consult Islanders on the draft Resolution on Canadian Unity already before the Assembly and the seven principles accepted by the Premiers last month in Calgary.
The Standing Committee, as part of the Report, is asked to propose amendments to the draft Resolution for debate during this fall's sitting.
The leaders stressed the need to have Islanders comment on the Calgary Declaration and to reflect those principles in an amended Resolution, in order to have consistency across the provinces.
The three leaders had praise for the fairness and wisdom of Prince Edward Islanders as demonstrated by their support of the Meech Lake Accord and the Charlottetown Accord, and by their willingness to recognize the unique character of Quebec within Canada.