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The Charlottetown Agreement proposes
that the new Constitution contain what
most Canadians would agree to be the
key economic and social objectives that
distinguish us as a country. These social
objectives include universal, publicly-
administered heaith care, adequate social
services and benefits, quality education,
collective bargaining rights and a com-
mitment to protecting the environment.

in a world where trade barriers between
countries are falling, another important
consideration is to reduce internal barriers
within Canada. One of Agreement’s key
economic objectives would be to promote
the free movement of peaple, goods,
services and capital within Canada.

Avoiding overlap
& duplication

As things currently stand in Canada,
there ts some overlap of government
services. The Agreement proposes
making governments work more efficiently
by transferring more control from the
federal government to the provinces in
areas such as forestry, mining, tourism,
housing, recreation, municipal affairs,
cultural matters within the province and
labour market development and training.
The Agreement also proposes to harmonize
federal-provinciat activity in the areas of
immigration, regional development and
telecommunications.

ao @
Aboriginal
self-government
The Agreement recognizes that Aboriginal
peoples have an inherent right to self-
government. The new Constitution would
enable them to develop self-government
arrangements and to take their place in
the Canadian federation. The proposals
would recognize Aboriginal governments
as one of the three Constitutional orders
of govermient in Canada. The recognition
of the inherent right to self-government
would not create any new rights to land
Nor dilute existing rights.

Parliamentary
reform

The Charlottetown Agreement proposes
modernizing our democratic institutions.

The existing Senate would be repiaced by

an elected, equal and effective chamber.
The new Senate would reflect the
equality of the provinces by having an
equa) number of Senators from each
province. {ts powers would significantly
increase the role of the elected Senators
in the policy process. The House of
Commons would be based more on the

principte of representation by population:

the number of seats would vary according
to the size of the population. As well,
various provinces would be assured a
minimum number of seats in the House.

‘J eo e
Distine sedety —
The new Canadian Constitution would
recognize the distinct nature of Quebec
based on its French language, unique
culture and civil law tradition. Like all
other provinces, Quebec would have
greater contro! over immigration and
cultural matters within its territory,
giving it the means to preserve
its heritage.

Friday, October 23, 1992 - North Shore News - 28-

These are key points in the Agreement.
They are the result of bringing thousands
of Canadians from ali walks of life to the
table — a first in Canadian history. The
Charlottetown Agreement is now before
the people of Canada. It is fer you to
decide if the proposed new Constitution
will equip Canada to meet the economic
and social challenges of tomorrow.

{t's up to you to think about it
and to vote on Cctober 26.
it's important...

to you and to your country.

For more information, call toll-free:

1-800-567-1183

Deaf or hearing impaired:
4-800-465-7735 crrvinn)

Canada