THE

CONSTITUTIO

N

DEBATE

MS. CAMPBELL SOCIALS 11

THE CONSTITUTION DEBATEBy 1984 Canadians outside Quebec

felt the issues of the Constitution had been settled and the focus of government should be the economy

However, in 1984 Brian Mulroney is elected PM

- He promises to repair the damage of 1982

- Will get Quebec’s consent to the Constitution “with honour and enthusiasm”

Levesque had retired and the Liberal party took office

- Robert Bourassa became premier

- He was pro-federalist

Mulroney’s priority is to get Quebec to sign the Constitution- Other provinces have

demands:- Newfoundland:- Alberta:

In response to Western alienation the Reform Party

was formed in 1987

THE MEECH LAKE ACCORDMulroney called a conference to

propose amendments to the Constitution

- To recognized Quebec as a distinct society

- To give more power to the provinces

What are some potential problems

with the Meech Lake Accord?

Opposition to Meech Lake:- Trudeau “two

solitudes”- Aboriginal Groups Also

have a distinct society

Results:- Manitoba and Newfoundland

refused support and the Accord falls apart in June 1990- Quebec feels rejected by Canada

- The Bloc Quebecois forms as a separatist party and their support rises to 64%

THE CHARLOTTETOWN ACCORD

A Citizen’s Forum is created to get feedback

- Senate reform for equal representation

- Aboriginal Self-GovernmentOctober 1992 Referendum54.5% Voted to reject the Charlottetown

AccordWhy did the Charlottetown Accord Fail?Too complicated Trying to please everyone

BC thought there was too much power to Quebec

Quebec thought they didn’t get enough power

Fear of Aboriginal Self-Government

1995 REFERENDUM AND AFTER

Quebec is angry and the PQ is elected in 1994

- Premier Jacques Parizeau calls for another referendum

49.450.6

1995 Referendum: Should Quebec

Separate? YESNO

Prime Minister Jean Chretien created the Clarity Bill which insists any YES majority must be substantial before

Quebec can exit CanadaBy the year 2000 support for separatism appeared to be declining

http://www.timescolonist.com/life/Sovereignty+debate+1990s+Quebec+poll/5541162/story.html

Separatism DebateUsing your notes from the past

three classes, your textbook, and any outside sources you wish,

prepare an argument for your side of the Separatism Debate

make sure you include references to specific events that influence your

opinion!