1. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Constitution
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms

2. What is a Constitution? rules of how the government should operate.
In a democracy, it limits the government’s power over its citizens.
usually requires changes made to it over time. The amending formula to change it is usually complicated

3. The British North America Act
1867 – BNA Act passed=Canada’s first Constitution
No amending formula included in BNA Act

4. Patriating the Constitution
¨      Trudeau wished to patriate, (bring home), the Constitution.
¨     An amending formula was required before it could be patriated – the discussions over how amendments could take place had been ongoing since the 1930s.

5. The Amending Formula
¨    Agreement of all ten provinces impractical as each would have a veto. Change would be almost impossible.
7/10 provinces and must be over 50% of the population (must have either Ontario or Quebec)

6. The Road to Patriation
¨      Only Ontario and New Brunswick supported him – others referred to as “gang of eight”
¨      Challenged in the Supreme Court of Canada
¨      Last chance meeting, 7 of the gang of 8 met, excluding Rene Levesque, and came to an agreement that would allow the patriation of the Constitution.

7. Video
In an Uncertain World: Night of the Long 29 minutes

8. Quebec Never signed… The Meech Lake Accord 1987-1990
“Distinct Society”
Trudeau speaks out
Elijah Harper
Mulroney’s time limit

9. The Meech Lake Accord

10. The Charlottetown Accord
Two years of public committee and town hall meetings
1992 meeting to discuss
Reform the senate
Distinct society for Quebec
Aboriginal self-government
There would be a referendum to pass it
7/10 provinces voted “NO”

11. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms