SASKATCHEWAN TO INTERVENE IN REFERENCE ON QUEBEC SECESSION

Released on December 2, 1996

Justice Minister John Nilson today announced that Saskatchewan is
intervening in the Supreme Court of Canada reference case on Quebec's
right to unilaterally secede from Canada.

"The federal government has asked the Supreme Court to address what is
perhaps the most fundamental issue of our nationhood, the legal rules
under which a province could separate," Nilson said. "Saskatchewan has
a tradition of participating in cases on significant issues of Canadian
constitutional law.

"I want to be clear that this government does not want this ever to
become a real issue. We intend to do what we can to encourage a NO
vote in Quebec on the issue of separation. As we have said before, we
must concentrate our efforts on administrative change and limited
constitutional change to improve the functioning of our federation in a
way that will enrich all of us.

"In stating this reference, the federal government has in effect asked
the Supreme Court to determine how a province could separate in a
legally sound manner that supports our common interest in stable
relations and social peace," Nilson said.

"In intervening, Saskatchewan will raise the legal argument that, in
the unlikely case that Quebec decides to separate, a negotiated
separation would require fundamental changes to our Constitution, and
therefore would require the assent of the provinces. Such changes in
our view, cannot be undertaken without the full involvement and consent
of the provinces."

Nilson said that Saskatchewan will be closely monitoring the reference
case and should circumstances develop that make intervention no longer
necessary, the province will withdraw its intervention.

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Tonya Duffy
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Regina
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