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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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)

17. Charlottetown Accord Rejected
National referendum October % 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

18. 1995 Quebec Referendum
Parti Quebecios elected in and in 1995 Premier Jacques Parizeau called a provincial referendum on full sovereignty
Results were 49.4% voted yes
Really close!!!!

19. 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