French and English Relations in the 1980s and 1990s

By:Edwin, Muhammad, Ashley, Brandon, Catherine, Kashaf, and Shareena

1980 Referendum

Parti QuebecoisQuebec nationalistsRene Levesque

Sovereignty-by-associationPolitical independenceRetain economic ties with Canada

(Same currency, free trade, etc.)

Didn’t pass, only 40% voted yes

TrudeauDrafted Constitution

BNA Act 1867Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Patriating the constitutionMeans to bring the BNA act to Canada (from GB) so we can

change itNeeded to change law that prevented us from changing it,

Amending FormulaRules stating how changes to the constitution can be

made7/10 provinces or 50% of the population must agree

before changes can be madeTrudeau needed the amending formula so that other

provinces could make changes, but a unanimous vote was difficult

Kitchen CompromiseThe Prime Minister and Premiers Literally went into

the kitchen to discuss the amending formula over coffeeEventually resulted in the notwithstanding clause

Premier Levesque felt betrayed because he was not included in the compromise, and felt that everyone had denied Quebec its distinct status

Notwithstanding ClauseA Clause in the Constitution

Enables Legislature or Parliament to stand on a matter even if it goes against the Charter of rights and freedoms

How to ‘Fix’ a Constitution

Constitution DebateOngoing political issues

Over the fundamental laws of the country The division of power Inclusion of civil rights

PM Mulroney wanted to make up for the Quebec exclusionWanted to obtain Quebec's consent to the constitution

Meech Lake AccordConstitutional amendments

Would define Quebec as a distinct society within CanadaHowever,

It was opposed by the Parti QuebecoisTrudeau thought it would split CanadaMight let Quebec override the constitution and deprive

people of their rightshttp://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA2-Ch4vC4k

Elijah HarperCree Member of Manitoba LegislatureOpposed the Meech lake accord because it did not

recognize Canada's aboriginal nations as a distinct society

Charlottetown AccordCharlottetown accord wanted to make amendments

made by the governmentThis failed because voters in Quebec voted “no” as it

didn’t give Quebec enough powerBut in BC voted no because they thought it would give

Quebec too much powerhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQtDw0Cc

gBc

Lucien Bouchard and the Bloc Quebecois

Lucien bouchard was the founder of the Bloc Quebecois and became Quebec's premier in 1996

Bloc Quebecois = Federal partyMade to promote political succession of Quebec

1995 Referendum49.4% of Quebecois voted yes to sovereignty

This close vote shocked CanadiansThe “yes” voters from the Meech lake accord promoted the

humiliation from the failed attempt there, won over votersThe supreme court said that Quebec did not have the

right to separate completelyThey needed a higher percentage And negotiate with the rest of CanadaAnd the assorted groups of minorities living in Quebechttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ygdKavHXdA

Clarity ActAct passed in 1999 which stated that any future

Quebec bills to separate must have a clear majority and ask a clear question