French and English Relations in the 1980s and 1990s

French and English Relations in the 1980s and 1990s By: Edwin, Muhammad, Ashley, Brandon, Catherine, Kashaf, and Shareena

1980 Referendum • Parti Quebecois • Quebec nationalists • Rene Levesque • Sovereignty-by-association • Political independence • Retain economic ties with Canada • (Same currency, free trade, etc.) • Didn’t pass, only 40% voted yes

Trudeau • Drafted Constitution • BNA Act 1867 • Charter of Rights and Freedoms • Patriating the constitution • Means to bring the BNA act to Canada (from GB) so we can change it • Needed to change law that prevented us from changing it,

Amending Formula • Rules stating how changes to the constitution can be made • 7/10 provinces or 50% of the population must agree before changes can be made • Trudeau needed the amending formula so that other provinces could make changes, but a unanimous vote was difficult

Kitchen Compromise • The Prime Minister and Premiers Literally went into the kitchen to discuss the amending formula over coffee • Eventually 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 Clause • A Clause in the Constitution • Enables Legislature or Parliamentto stand on a matter even if it goes against the Charter of rights and freedoms

How to ‘Fix’ a Constitution • Constitution Debate • Ongoing 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 exclusion • Wanted to obtain Quebec's consent to the constitution

Meech Lake Accord • Constitutional amendments • Would define Quebec as a distinct society within Canada • However, • It was opposed by the Parti Quebecois • Trudeau thought it would split Canada • Might let Quebec override the constitution and deprive people of their rights • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA2-Ch4vC4k

Elijah Harper • Cree Member of Manitoba Legislature • Opposed the Meech lake accord because it did not recognize Canada's aboriginal nations as a distinct society

Charlottetown Accord • Charlottetown accord wanted to make amendments made by the government • This failed because voters in Quebec voted “no” as it didn’t give Quebec enough power • But in BC voted no because they thought it would give Quebectoo much power • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQtDw0CcgBc

Lucien Bouchard and the Bloc Quebecois • Lucien bouchard was the founder of the Bloc Quebecois and became Quebec's premier in 1996 • Bloc Quebecois = Federalparty • Made to promote political successionof Quebec

1995 Referendum • 49.4% of Quebecois voted yes to sovereignty • This close vote shocked Canadians • The “yes” voters from the Meech lake accord promoted the humiliation from the failed attempt there, won over voters • The supreme court said that Quebec did not have the right to separate completely • They needed a higher percentage • And negotiate with the rest of Canada • And the assorted groups of minorities living in Quebec • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ygdKavHXdA

Clarity Act • Act passed in 1999 which stated that any future Quebec bills to separate must have a clear majority and ask a clear question

French and English Relations in the 1980s and 1990s