Political Growth and Tensions Referendums Patriation of the Constitution Meech Lake Accord Charlottetown Accord

1980 Referendum The PQ government under the leadership of Rene Levesque called a referendum on Quebec sovereignty Quebec would become politically independent yet maintain close economic ties with Canada Free trade A common currency Common tariffs and imported goods

Only 40% of Quebecois voted yes to sovereignty 1980 Referendum Outcome Only 40% of Quebecois voted yes to sovereignty Levesque was not going to give up that easy

The British North America Act Canada’s Constitution since 1867 Set out the Federal and provincial government powers, and language and education rights of French Canadians No changes could be made without British approval Canada not totally independent

Trudeau Takes a Stand for Independence Trudeau wanted to patriate the constitution so that the Canadian government would have the sole right to make changes to it Hoped to include a clear statement of rights to which all Canadians are entitled Getting both the federal and provincial governments to agree on an amending formula was difficult

Provincial Reaction to Patriation Western Provinces Quebec Saw patriation as a way to have more say in affairs that affected them Felt that the Charter would have more power than provincial legislatures Ottawa /Quebec could not get their way if it violated the Charter Feared that the Charter would be used to override language rights or any other legislation that might be passed to protect Quebec’s distinct society

Kitchen Accord1981Nov 4 Over late night cups of coffee in the kitchen of the National Conference Centre Federal Justice Minister Chretien and justice ministers from Saskatchewan and Ontario rough notes scratched by the men on two pieces of paper detailing a scenario in which the provinces would agree to the charter

Notwithstanding Clause Allowed the federal government or any of the provinces to opt out of some of the clauses in the Charter This along with the Amending formula acted as a compromise to get enough support to patriate the constitution

Quebec Refuses Patriation Premier Levesque was upset at the Amending Formal Changes could be made with 7/10 provinces representing 50% of the population. Did not need Quebec if Ontario supported Levesque felt like the provinces were gaining up on them to deny recognition of Quebec's distinct status

Charter of Rights and Freedoms On April 17th 1982 Queen Elizabeth II and Trudeau signed the new Constitution Act As a result Quebec flags flew half mast and Levesque led an angry protest through the streets of Quebec city

Trudeau Steps Down On Feb 28 1984 Trudeau retired John Turner took over but Liberals defeated next election Conservatives won with Brian Mulroney won by getting separatist support by promising to re-evaluate the Constitution

Mulroney Priorities His main priority was to repair the divide between French and English Canada by getting Quebec to sign the constitution Help end the separatist movement The west again felt like Quebec was prioritized over all other provincial concerns

Meech Lake Accord Mulroney called premiers to discuss the Constitution at Meech Lake Quebec in 1987 Proposed a series of amendments that included an offer to recognize Quebec as a distinct society Would also give all provinces the power to veto constitutional change French saw it as a protection of French culture and language

Meech Lake: What a Disaster Trudeau argued that it would create two societies and isolate French Canadians Some argued it would be used to override the Charter and deprive specific groups of rights in Quebec Elijah Harper (Cree member of the Manitoba legislature) opposed it because it did not recognize Aboriginal nations as a distinct society

Quebec Humiliated The failure of the accord was seen as a rejection of Quebec itself and deemed humiliating in Quebec Lucien Bouchard resigned from cabinet and formed the Bloc Quebecois in protest The Bloc would run in federal elections, but remained a separatist party

Charlottetown Accord Mulroney and provincial premiers proposed a package of constitutional amendments called the Charlottetown Accord Similar to the Meech Lake but it also advocated the principle of Aboriginal self government and reforming the Senate Senate would become an equal body with equal representation form all provinces (appease the west)

Charlottetown Accord Rejected National referendum October 1992 54.3% of voters rejected it Greatest opposition form BC Gave Quebec too much power and did not like the fact that Quebec would have 25% of the seats in the House of Commons regardless of population size Voters in Quebec rejected the idea that BC would get most of the seats in the Senate and Aboriginal self government in Quebec

1995 Quebec Referendum Parti Quebecios elected in 1994 and in 1995 Premier Jacques Parizeau called a provincial referendum on full sovereignty Results were 49.4% voted yes Really close!!!!

Clarity Act 1996 Set down in law Ottawa’s insistence on a clear question in any future referendum Details on issues like how would the Supreme Court be split up? Ottawa will only negotiate separation if the majority of Quebec wanted it