Ottawa dismisses Nfld. call to amend Constitution

Ottawa dismisses Nfld. call to amend Constitution
Last Updated Fri May 9 09:53:14 2003
Written by CBC News Online staff

OTTAWA-- The federal government says there's no point renegotiating Newfoundland and Labrador's union with Canada because it won't "bring back the fish."

On Thursday, the province's governing Liberals introduced a resolution in the legislature demanding the Constitution be amended.
Premier Roger Grimes said Newfoundland should be given joint control over the fishing industry. Currently, the federal government has jurisdiction over the oceans.

"Time is running out," said Grimes, who is furious over Ottawa's recent decision to virtually close the cod fishery.

But when the Canadian Alliance raised the matter during question period on Parliament Hill, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Stephane Dion dismissed Newfoundland's proposal.

"No (constitutional) amendment would bring back the fish or do anything for the communities," Dion said in the House of Commons. What is important is to work as good partners. We have no mandate from the Canadian people to give provinces equal powers over the oceans, Dion later told reporters. It's not in our platform, and it's not our policy."

FROM MAY 8, 2003: Nfld. demands new deal with Canada: Grimes said he's furious that Ottawa has already rejected the idea, without even waiting for Newfoundland's legislature to debate the resolution next week. The premier wants to change the Terms of Union - the document that brought Newfoundland and Labrador into Confederation in 1949. The province should be given the constitutional powers to share management of the ocean fishery, according to Thursday's resolution.

Grimes, who is expected to call an election before the end of the year, denied suggestions that he's waging a constitutional battle with Ottawa in order to win votes.