Québec Separatism & the Constitution Ch. 8 (p. 257-264)
1970s Quebec Politics Refresher What does PQ stand for? Who was the founder and leader of the Parti Quebecois? What was the ultimate goal of the Parti Quebecois? What did the Parti Quebecois achieve in 1976? What promise did Rene Levesque make to help the PQ win the provincial election? What did Bill 101 change in Quebec?
The 1980 Referendum 1980: Lévesque calls a province-wide referendum Asks for support to negotiate a sovereigntyassociation with federal government Québec would be politically separate from Canada, but remain linked economically PM Trudeau was strongly against Québec separatism Campaigns for the Non side Promises to negotiate a new Constitution if Québec stays Result: 40% vote Oui to separate, 60% vote Non Lévesque accepts defeat, but encourages separatists not to give up
The 1980 Referendum
Patriating the Constitution PM Trudeau keeps his promise, begins negotiating an updated Constitution Canada still governed by BNA Act (1867) Could not be changed without permission from the British Parliament Trudeau wants to patriate the Constitution (bring it home to Canada), be able to make changes without British permission Wants to clarify the basic rights of Canadians Needs support of provinces, though
Patriating the Constitution Amending formula and rules of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms must first be agreed upon Provinces want more say over changing of Constitution, possible veto-power Provinces want to be able to opt-out of Charter Worried that courts would become more powerful than provincial governments Québec afraid that Charter would be used to weaken Bill 101 1980-81: Extended negotiations between provincial premiers and federal government largely unsuccessful
Constitutional Negotiations
Patriating the Constitution 4 Nov. 1981: final desperate attempt to come to agreement at hotel in Ottawa Federal Minister of Justice Jean Chrétien and a couple provincial politicians hammer out a final agreement between federal gov. and provinces Called Kitchen Compromise or Kitchen Accord because written in the hotel kitchen in the middle of the night Provincial premiers were woken up in the hotel to sign the deal Québec premier Lévesque was staying at other hotel, surprised by deal in the morning, refuses to agree to it, wants referendum on Constitution Referred to as Night of the Long Knives in Québec Compromise included the current amending formula and the notwithstanding clause, allowing provinces to opt-out of the Charter
Kitchen Compromise
Patriating the Constitution PM Trudeau goes ahead with the new Constitution without Québec s agreement 17 April 1982: Constitution Act signed by Queen Elizabeth II and PM Trudeau in Ottawa Canada now completely independent, last step in gaining autonomy from Great Britain Many in Québec feel betrayed by the federal government and other provinces
Constitution Act (1982)
Further Constitution Debate 1984: Brian Mulroney, campaigning to become next PM, promises to fix Constitution so Québec would sign it 1987: PM Mulroney holds conference with premiers at Meech Lake, Québec, to come up with several changes to the Constitution Meech Lake Accord Québec to be recognized as a distinct society Change to amending formula to allow provincial vetoes More provincial control over immigration, more input in appointment of senators and Supreme Court judges
Brian Mulroney Prime Minister 1984-1993 Conservative
Further Constitutional Debate Meech Lake Accord requires all provinces to agree to it within three years before it becomes law Much debate over the Accord Trudeau against the Accord, felt the distinct society clause would isolate Québec from the rest of Canada First Nations argue that they should be recognized as a distinct society as well Many Canadians want more input into the Accord 1990: the deadline to agree to the Accord passes without Manitoba and Newfoundland agreeing, the Accord fails Many in Québec feel betrayed again, more support for separatism MP Lucien Bouchard leaves Conservative Party and forms the Bloc Québécois (BQ), a federal separatist party
Meech Lake Opposition
Further Constitutional Debate PM Mulroney tries again to amend the Constitution Learned from mistakes of Meech Lake Accord Seeks out input from Canadians on Constitutional changes in meetings across the country With recommendations from citizens and premiers, comes up with the Charlottetown Accord Québec to be recognized as a distinct society Senate to be elected, not appointed Supported Aboriginal self-government Canada Clause proposed official Canadian values
Further Constitutional Debate Charlottetown Accord to be decided upon in a national referendum in October 1992 54.5% of Canadian vote against it Many clauses in the Accord, easy to find something to disagree with BC: 68.3% vote against it Felt would give Québec too much power (min. 25% of MPs) Québec: 56.7% vote against it Not happy with many Senate seats going to Western provinces Aboriginal self-government would limit power in N. Québec
Strike Two!
Resurgence of Separatism Québec frustrated with Constitution developments Leads to a rise in support for separatism 1993: separatist Bloc Québécois (BQ) win second most seats in federal election, become the official opposition Leader Lucien Bouchard 1994: separatist Parti Québécois (PQ) elected provincially Premier Jacques Parizeau promises referendum on full sovereignty (political independence), not sovereignty-association 1995: referendum called for October PM Jean Chrétien campaigns strongly for non side Bouchard and Parizeau lead oui side
Oui vs. Non: Round 2 Fight!
Resurgence of Separatism Large rallies and ad campaigns held for both sides Debate over wording of the referendum question: Do you agree that Québec should become sovereign after having made a formal offer to Canada for a new economic and political partnership within the scope of the bill respecting the future of Québec and of the agreement signed on June 12, 1995? Non side believes question is confusing, unclear Oct. 1995: Non side barely wins 50.6% Non, 49.4% Oui
Resurgence of Separatism Aftermath of the 1995 Referendum Extremely narrow margin was devastating for the Oui side, shocking for the Non side PM Chrétien and Liberals pass the Clarity Bill Would require a very clear question in any future referendum on separatism Separatism would require a clear majority, not just 50% + 1 What is a clear majority? Support in Québec for separatism has decreased Provincial Liberal Party in power in Québec since 2003 BQ not focused on separatism anymore, have lost much support