MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Canadian Senator supports Falklands' “independence”.

A Canadian Senator who recently visited the Falkland Islands said she supports the Islands quest for “independence” (self determination).

Prince Edward Island Senator Libbe Hubley interviewed by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Charlottetown, added that Islanders still feel threatened by Argentina whose current administration, under President Nestor Kirchner, has imposed economic and transport sanctions on the South Atlantic disputed islands.

Senator Hubley was in the Falklands last month as a member of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians Association together with another Senator and two members of the Ottawa Parliament.

Senator Hubley said many of the residents of the Falklands are "interested in striking out on their own".

"I think they would like to see it work like Canada; like we have our own governments here. We have a connection with England and we still have the Queen as the head of Parliament".

Ms. Hubley said representatives from the Falkland Islands would send a delegation to Canada some time in the future "to explore our style of government".

PEI Senator also pointed out that Falklands' economy "shares many commonalities with Atlantic Canada".

Senator Elizabeth Hubbley belongs to the ruling Liberal Party of Canada and was appointed by former Primer Minister Chrétien.

Ms. Hubbley in 1989 was elected to represent the old district of Fifth Prince in the Prince Edward Island Legislative Assembly. She was re-elected in 1993, at which time she was appointed Deputy Speaker. During her career in provincial politics, she was a strong supporter of rural communities and cultural development, and served on ten standing committees including economic development, tourism, health and social services, agriculture, and fisheries and aquaculture. Ms. Hubley retired from provincial politics in 1996.

In 1998, she was appointed as a member of the Federal Veterans Review and Appeal Board, a position she held until her appointment to the Senate of Canada in March 2001. Mrs. Hubley has a distinguished record of community service, both as a volunteer and elected official. She is a patron of the performing arts. She has been a member of the P.E.I. Council of the Arts, President of the P.E.I. Fiddlers Society, and President of the Prince County Fiddlers. She also is Past President of the Kensington and Area Cultural Foundation, founding member of the Kensington Step Dancing Festival, and has been involved with numerous other groups dedicated to the promotion and development of Island heritage and cultural life.

She is currently member of the following Senate Committees: Agriculture and Forestry, and holds the Deputy Chair of Fisheries and Oceans.

Email Address: hublee@sen.parl.gc.ca