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May 14th, 2013

Charlie Angus asks Senators to make legal opinions public

TIMMINS – Today, NDP Ethics critic Charlie Angus (Timmins – James Bay) released two letters asking Senators to publicly release legal opinions on the residency requirements for sitting in the Senate.

“Both Marjory LeBreton and the Senate Committee on Internal Economy have said they have or will obtain legal opinions. They must release to the public any legal opinions they receive about whether Senators have met the residency requirement required under the Constitution,” said Angus.

Over the weekend, Marjory LeBreton said during a radio interview that a signed declaration from any Senator is the only thing required to meet the constitutional rules for sitting in the upper chamber. She said she is relying on a legal opinion for this view.

In an article today, it was revealed that Members of the Senate Committee on Internal Economy have also asked for their own legal opinion to determine whether Senators meet their residency requirements.

Angus’ letters to the Senate Committee on Internal Economy and Senator LeBreton are attached.

Angus-LeBreton-EN.pdf
Angus-Senators-EN.pdf