Ottawa, Ontario – Senator Bernadette Clement launched the process to complete an amalgamation that’s been years in the making. She is grateful to Sénatrice Pierrette Ringuette and her team, who started the task in partnership with the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall.
In 2020, the Pope announced canonical amalgamation of the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall and the Archdiocese of Ottawa, creating the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. A private bill introduced in the Senate is necessary to complete the civil amalgamation.
“I remember participating in community consultations at several years ago,” said Senator Clement, former mayor of Cornwall. “It was a passionate, respectful conversation during which parishioners clearly stated that they wanted their voices to be heard, even as part of a larger archdiocese.”
The first step to passing the private bill in the Senate is the tabling of the petition, which took place on April 18. Shortly thereafter, the bill is introduced, and debate follows. Historically, private bills were used to grant divorces, but they can also amend existing acts of incorporation – which is the case here.
The bill will merge The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Ottawa and The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation for the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall. The property, liabilities, and any claims of the amalgamating dioceses will be the responsibility of the newly amalgamated corporation.
“I hope Eastern Ontario parishioners take a look at this procedure by watching proceedings, reading speeches, and reaching out to my office with any questions,” said Clement.
Senator Clement expects to speak to the bill on Tuesday, April 25. To watch proceedings, visit https://senparlvu.parl.gc.ca/Harmony. To read Senator Clement’s Chamber interventions, visit https://sencanada.ca/en/senators/clement-bernadette/.
For more information, please email bernadette.clement@sen.parl.gc.ca
