Quebec in the 1980s and 1990s

The Patriation of the Constitution

• After the failed 1980 Quebec referendum, Trudeau begins to work on his promise of a new Constitution

• What is a Constitution?• It is the supreme law of a country• The Constitution sets out the

powers and limits of governments in Canada (Canada and the provinces)

• Canada’s original Constitution, since 1867, was called the British North America Act (BNA Act)

• Problem for Trudeau, the power to change Canada’s Constitution still remained with Britain

• Meaning? • Canada could not change its own constitution

without British approval• Trudeau wanted to change this, he wanted to

“patriate” (bring home to Canada) the Constitution so that Canada could make changes by itself

• Before Britain would accept this change, Canada needed to create an amending formula ( 修正公式 )– If Canada was going to be responsible for changing its own

Constitution, how many provinces would need to agree?– Would any provinces (ex. Quebec) be given more power than

others during this decision?

• This amending formula was difficult to agree upon between the provincial governments and the Canadian government.

• There were different expectations for Constitutional changes and powers

• Further, many Premiers were against The Charter of Rights and Freedoms (another idea proposed by Trudeau that would provide Canadians with basic rights in the Constitution)

The Process

• Many meetings about the Amending Formula had failed, but during one late-night meeting in 1981, there was an agreement between all of the Premiers, except Quebec.

• The meeting between leaders took place in a hotel kitchen, and as a result, was given the name the Kitchen Compromise

• The decision?• In the future, to change the Constitution, 7/10 provinces

representing at least 50% of Canada’s population must agree on the change

• As part of the changes, the Premiers agreed to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, if Canada added the notwithstanding clause – provinces could choose to ignore some parts of this Charter if it wanted.

• Quebec felt betrayed - they did not agree to the Kitchen Compromise, but Trudeau accepted it anyways.

Partner Explanation

• Explain to your partner, in your own words, the relationship between the following:– Constitution– Amending Formula– Charter of Rights and Freedoms– Kitchen Compromise– Notwithstanding Clause

Constitution Act, 1982

• Canada’s new and updated Constitution was signed in 1982

• Canada was now officially, completely independent from Britain (could make its own changes)

The Next Step…

• Brian Mulroney became the new Canadian Prime Minister in 1984.

• He wanted to fix French-English relations by making changes to the Constitution that Quebec would support

Meech Lake - 1987•A conference was held near Ottawa, in which

Mulroney proposed a package of amendments to the Constitution, called the Meech Lake Accord

• It included:•“Distinct society” status for Quebec•More power to other provinces –

constitutional veto•Quebec supported this Accord•Many critics – Manitoba and Newfoundland

did not support it.• It eventually failed.

Creation of the Bloc Quebecois - 1990

• The failure of the Meech Lake Accord resulted in even more anger in Quebec

• Result of this anger?• The formation of a new federal

(Canada) political party – the Bloc Quebecois [BQ]

• Main Goal: Separatism• This party attracted support

only in Quebec but became very powerful in the 1990s

• The first leader of the “Bloc” was Lucien Bouchard

Cartoon Discussion

Charlottetown Accord - 1992• Mulroney wanted to continue discussing changes to

the Constitution because Quebec was still unhappy.• Created a second proposed amendment list• It promised: 1. “Distinct society” status for Quebec 2. First Nations self-government 3. Senate reform• It failed to pass a national referendum in October

1992 when a large majority of Canadians voted no (including Quebeckers) – too many different changes.

• BC and Alberta represented the main groups against this package.

1995 Referendum

• After the Meech Lake and Charlottetown failures,

Quebeckers are extremely upset!

• Quebec re-elects the PQ (new leader is Jacques Parizeau)

• He promises another referendum on full separation from Canada

• The Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, strongly supports the “No” side

• The result?• 49.4% of Quebec voted “Yes” to leave Canada• 50.6% of Quebec voted “No” to stay in Canada

After the Referendum• Lucien Bouchard quits the federal BQ, and

joins the provincial PQ, hoping to have another Quebec referendum

• In 2000, Jean Chretien passes a law called the Clarity Bill

• Makes referendums much more difficult to achieve success and changes referendum rules:– All provinces must be part of a referendum– There must be a “clear question”– Requires a “significant” yes majority in any vote

(never clearly stated how much)

Present Day?

• Since 1995, tensions have decreased, but separation and referendums are occasionally discussed in Quebec.

• Further, Quebec has still not signed the Canadian Constitution, even though it remains in Canada.