Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Status of Refugees and Stateless Persons: Draft Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Note by the Representative of Canada on the Federal Clause

A/CONF.2/98

The following is the text of an alternative Federal State clause as read to the Conference by the representative of Canada at its thirtieth meeting on 20 July 1951:

"In the case of a Federal or non-unitary State the following provisions shall apply:

(a) With respect to those articles of this convention that come within the legislative jurisdiction of the federal legislative authority the obligations of the federal Government shall to this extent be the same as those parties which are not federal states:

(b) With respect to those articles of this Convention that come within the legislative jurisdiction of constituent states, provinces or cantons, the Federal Government shall bring such articles with favourable recommendation to the notice of appropriate authorities of states, provinces or cantons at the earliest possible moment.

(c) A Federal State Party to this Convention shall, at the request of any other Contracting State transmitted through the Secretary-General, supply a statement of the law and practice of the Federation and its constituent units in regard to any particular provision of the Convention showing the extent to which effect has been given to that provision by legislative or other action."