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Renewal - Final Negotiation Meeting
The new Minister’s offer to meet with the NAJC resulted in a meeting in June 1988 with Hon. Gerry Weiner and his staff, Dennison Moore and Rick Clippendale. The atmosphere at this meeting was more congenial and positive. Mr. Weiner indicated that all issues were open for discussion and that the government was willing to consider individual compensation.
In mid August 1988, Chief of Staff Dennison Moore contacted the NAJC indicating that the government was eager to resolve redress directly with the NAJC. In late August, under a veil of secrecy, the NAJC strategy team met in Montreal with the government team led by Mr. Weiner. A surprise visitor to the negotiation meeting was Secretary of State Lucien Bouchard, a close confidant of the Prime Minister.
Mr. Bouchard’s presence and comments were a clear indication that the Prime Minister wanted the redress issue resolved. After two days of proposals and counter-proposals, the NAJC strategy team reached agreement on the main components of the redress package.
The following day, after clarifying the specific terms, NAJC Vice-president Roger Obata and Mr. Weiner signed a tentative pact. In order for the Prime Minister to determine the appropriate time for the announcement in the House of Commons, all the negotiation participants agreed to keep the agreement in confidence until the Prime Minister was ready to make the official statement.
The agreement was reached late in the evening of August 25, 1988.(photo: Cassandra Kobayashi)
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Gerry Weiner and Roger Obata signing the tentative agreement. (photo: Cassandra Kobayashi)
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NAJC and government negotiators. (photo: Cassandra Kobayashi)
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Lucien Bouchard, Secretary of State, with Rick Clippendale, opening negotiations. (photo: Cassandra Kobayashi)
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