Canadian Annual Review of Politics and Public Affairs : 1995

Canadian calendar 1995\* JANUARY time in as many weeks that the prime rate has been reduced. -A landmark decision is handed down by a Federal Court judge who upheld the appeal of a Ghanaian women who was denied refugee status even though she would be threatened with genital mutilation if returned to Ghana. 12 Statistics Canada reports that the number of abortions performed on Canadian women in 1993 increased by 2.3 per cent from 1992 figures. 13 Seventeen sick Canadian peacekeepers in Bosnia are withdrawn from duty; the peacekeepers' have been prevented from being resupplied with food and water by Bosnian forces. 14 The Canadian Red Cross recalls blood products across Canada after it is discovered that some plasma has been contaminated with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, considered to be 'the next AIDS.' 18 Statistics Canada reports that Canadian exports fell for the fourth month in a row, marking the largest decline since the last recession. 19 Ontario Premier Mike Harris announces that the province's employment equity law will be scrapped, suggesting that the law is quota-based and undermines the merit principle. -Saskatchewan farmer Robert Latimer, convicted of the murder/euthanasia of his severely handicapped daughter, is released from prison pending appeal. 20 Federal Fisheries Minister Brian Tobin announces that Canada is claiming control of an Atlantic crab fishery outside the 200-nautical-mile limit in order to forestall future disputes. 24 The Foreign Affairs Department reports that exports of military goods jumped by 48 per cent in 1994 over 1993 figures; almost half-a-billion-dollars-worth of equipment has been exported. 26 Defence Minister David Collenette announces that Canada will withdraw its peacekeepers from former Yugoslavia if the U.S. Congress ends the United Nations arms embargo against the former Yugoslavia. 27 Rosemary Kuptana, president of the Innuit Tapirisat, 'MUSH' sector (municipalities, universities, schools, and hospitals). The PC government of Gary Filmon and the NDP government of Roy Romanow were re-elected in Manitoba and Saskatchewan respectively. Premier Mike Harcourt of British Columbia resigned, battered by the 'Bingogate' scandal that resulted from his handling of complaints about the Nanaimo Commonwealth Holding Society's illegal use of charitable funds. Premier Clyde Wells of Newfoundland surprised observers by resigning at year-end. Romeo LeBlanc became Canada's first Acadian Governor General. The economy showed clear signs of recovery from the recession, but growth was slower than forecasted. While unemployment fell, there was not as much new employment as hoped. Government deficit reduction was still pursued primarily through spending cuts and privatization, at both the federal and provincial levels, rather than through additional revenue generation. The trend towards government restructuring and amalgamation to reduce costs continued. Alberta and British Columbia amalgamated school boards, and Nova Scotia amalgamated school boards, hospitals, and municipalities. Severe spending reductions allowed some provinces to achieve balanced budgets, or to forecast them for the next year. Saskatchewan and Manitoba introduced balanced budget legislation. Among economic sectors, agriculture and fisheries were particularly \* Thanks to Brad Bartsch for research assistance on this project.

Quebec's referendum on sovereignty dominated politics and public affairs in Canada in 1995. While it seemed like everything else was eclipsed in importance, many other matters of consequence occurred. The economy was generally in a state of recovery, but there was not as much new employment as hoped. Governments at the federal and provincial level continued to grapple with budget deficits. Controversial new gun control legislation was introduced. Trade and peacekeeping dominated the foreign and defence policy agendas, with public confidence in peacekeeping and the Canadian military eroded by the ongoing Somalia affair.

Featuring essays on Parliament and politics, Ottawa and the provinces, external affairs and defence, the Canadian Annual Review of Politics and Public Affairs provides a comprehensive account of the year's events. The Canadian Annual Review has long been praised for its excellence. Known for its accuracy, readability, and insight, it offers a synoptic appraisal of the year's crises, controversies, and developments from both federal and provincial perspectives.

Quebec's referendum on sovereignty dominated politics and public affairs in Canada in 1995. While it seemed like everything else was eclipsed in importance, many other matters of consequence occurred. The economy was generally in a state of recovery, but there was not as much new employment as hoped. Governments at the federal and provincial level continued to grapple with budget deficits. Controversial new gun control legislation was introduced. Trade and peacekeeping dominated the foreign and defence policy agendas, with public confidence in peacekeeping and the Canadian military eroded by the ongoing Somalia affair. Featuring essays on Parliament and politics, Ottawa and the provinces, external affairs and defence, the Canadian Annual Review of Politics and Public Affairs provides a comprehensive account of the year's events. The Canadian Annual Review has long been praised for its excellence. Known for its accuracy, readability, and insight, it offers a synoptic appraisal of the year's crises, controversies, and developments from both federal and provincial perspectives Contents 5 Contributors 9 Canadian calendar 1995 11 Editor’s introduction - the year in review 33 The federal perspective 43 Parliament and politics 43 Ottawa and the provinces 84 External affairs and defence 99 The provincial perspectives 135 Ontario 135 Quebec 156 Nova Scotia 172 New Brunswick 178 Manitoba 188 British Columbia 196 Prince Edward Island 218 Saskatchewan 223 Alberta 242 Newfoundland and Labrador 255 Yukon and Northwest Territories 264 Obituaries 1995 277 Index of names 281 Index of subjects 293 Featuring essays on parliament and politics, Ottawa and the provinces, and external affairs, the Canadian Annual Review of Politics and Public Affairs provides a comprehensive account of the year?s events.