Jan. 23 Last Day for Unity Submissions

HOUSE OF
ASSEMBLY--Jan. 23 Last Day for Unity Submissions

The province's Select Committee on National Unity today thanked the more than 125 Nova Scotians who took the time to speak at public hearings and the scores more who have so far made submissions by phone, fax, e-mail and regular post.

"You have spoken with passion and with eloquence," said committee chair Eleanor Norrie. "You have told us how much this country means to you, and you have challenged us and other Canadians to make it work.

"The members of the committee thank each and every person who took the time and effort to prepare a submission. The diversity of ideas and concerns presented serves to remind us just how complex -- and critical -- the issue of national unity is."

Although the committee has wrapped up its schedule of 10 public hearings, submissions will be accepted until Friday, Jan. 23. The committee is to report to the House of Assembly by Monday, Feb. 16.

The all-party committee is specifically interested in what Nova Scotians think of the Calgary Declaration and a subsequent framework for discussion presented by national aboriginal organizations. It wants to know whether the documents present a vision of Canada that, overall, the people of Nova Scotia can support.

Nova Scotians may submit their views until Friday on a toll-free phone line, 1-888-38-UNITY (1-888-388-6489). Comments phoned in will be summarized in writing for the committee.

In addition, views may be submitted, again until Friday:

• by fax: 1-902-424-0513
• by e-mail: [email protected]
• via the Internet: http://www.gov.ns.ca/legi/unite
• by post to: Select Committee on National Unity
  c/o Legislature Committees Office
  3rd Floor, Dennis Building
  1740 Granville St.
  P.O. Box 2630, Station M
  Halifax, N.S. B3J 3N5

In the past five weeks, committee members have listened to the views of Nova Scotians in Halifax (two hearings), Sydney, Port Hawkesbury, Truro, Kentville, Church Point, Yarmouth, Bridgewater

and Dartmouth. The meetings have drawn 50 to 100 people each evening.

In all, 129 presentations were made at the public hearings, which wrapped up Wednesday evening in Halifax. More than 200 other submissions have so far been made on the toll-free line and by fax, e-mail and regular post.

Mrs. Norrie is joined on the all-party committee by MLAs Bob Carruthers (committee vice-chair), Paul MacEwan, Ron Russell, Ernie Fage and John Holm. Lila O'Connor is an alternate member.

"In addition to those who took the opportunity to share their views, we wish to thank the communities we visited for their hospitality and the many Nova Scotians who turned out at the hearings to listen and take an interest in the issue," said Mrs. Norrie.

"The high number of submissions to date and the impressive turnout at the hearings are clear indicators that Nova Scotians feel deeply about this country and are committed to keeping Canada united. Our report to the House of Assembly will reflect their ideas and concerns."

NOTE TO EDITORS: The texts of the Calgary Declaration and the aboriginal framework are on the committee's Internet site, www.gov.ns.ca/legi/unite Copies are also available by e-mailing <[email protected].>