Qubec 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: Lvesque calls a province-wide referendum

Asks for support to negotiate a sovereigntyassociation with federal government

Qubec would be politically separate from Canada, but

remain linked economically

PM Trudeau was strongly against Qubec separatism

Campaigns for the Non side
Promises to negotiate a new Constitution if Qubec stays

Result: 40% vote Oui to separate, 60% vote Non

Lvesque 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
Qubec 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 Chrtien 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

Qubec premier Lvesque 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 Qubec

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 Qubecs 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 Qubec 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 Qubec would
sign it
1987: PM Mulroney holds conference with premiers
at Meech Lake, Qubec, to come up with several
changes to the Constitution Meech Lake Accord
Qubec 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 Qubec 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 Qubec feel betrayed again, more support for separatism
MP Lucien Bouchard leaves Conservative Party and forms the
Bloc Qubcois (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

Qubec 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 Qubec too much power (min. 25% of MPs)

Qubec: 56.7% vote against it

Not happy with many Senate seats going to Western provinces
Aboriginal self-government would limit power in N. Qubec

Strike Two!

Resurgence of Separatism

Qubec frustrated with Constitution developments

Leads to a rise in support for separatism
1993: separatist Bloc Qubcois (BQ) win second most
seats in federal election, become the official opposition

1994: separatist Parti Qubcois (PQ) elected provincially

Leader Lucien Bouchard

Premier Jacques Parizeau promises referendum on full
sovereignty (political independence), not sovereignty-association

1995: referendum called for October

PM Jean Chrtien campaigns strongly for non side
Bouchard and Parizeau lead oui side

Oui vs. Non: Round 2Fight!

Resurgence of Separatism

Large rallies and ad campaigns held for both sides

Debate over wording of the referendum question:
Do you agree that Qubec 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 Qubec 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 Chrtien 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 Qubec for separatism has decreased

Provincial Liberal Party in power in Qubec since 2003
BQ not focused on separatism anymore, have lost much support