Canada 's Constitutional Issue Of Canada

In Canadian history, nationalism and sovereignty tend to be common themes prevalent since Confederation. A well-known example of this in Quebec was during the Quiet Revolution which strengthened the need for change through Premier Lesage’s reforms and in turn, developed a strong sense of nationalism in Quebec. In contrast to beliefs that the rapid modernization of the Quiet Revolution had a positive impact on Quebec, it rather had a negative impact on Quebec and its citizens and identity. The three consequences which arose in Quebec as a result of the revolution are the encouragement of separatism, the elimination of traditional values and roles and the establishment of powerful bureaucratic control. Quebec’s attempt to be more like the

Canada is a huge country located between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean and consists of 10 provinces. This country is the host for immigrants from all over the world with different religions and cultures. It embraces all of these diverse groups of people. It was essential that some arrangements be made to accommodate for these divers groups’ needs and ultimately in the year 1960 legislation of Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was a huge step toward these affairs. The Charter was enacted by the parliament in order to respect each person’s rights and eligibilities in different areas and it is divided into subsections.

The Quebec Referendum first occurred during the Quebec Sovereignty. The Quebec Sovereignty is the movement of Quebec declaring independence from Canada. Throughout Canadian history, the province of Quebec has always wanted to become independent from Canada. Most citizens of Quebec feel suppressed from Canada as French is not commonly spoken outside by Canadians outside of Quebec. “From the fall of 1967, when, as federal minister of justice, he had clearly articulated his position on these questions, to the 1980 referendum, his thinking and priorities had not changed: they embodied patriation of the constitution, equality between francophones and anglophones, a charter of rights, and an amending formula granting a right of veto to Quebec.” Pierre Trudeau had intentions in patriating the constitution with the French and English Canadian’s rights and freedoms. During the Quebec referendum in the year of 1995, the Parti Quebecois asked voters to vote on whether Quebec should become sovereign or not. As a result, the majority of voters voted against the Quebec Sovereignty Referendum. Pierre Trudeau strived to defeat the sovereignty movement and thus, established the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Trudeau was very passionate and ambitious in transforming Canada into an equal and humble society.

The movement of Quebec sovereignty, if it were to be implemented, would have substantial consequences, not only on Quebec but also on Canada as a whole. For this reason, the movement should be challenged. It is ironic how much of Quebec advocates for independence, yet the effects would be economically detrimental. If Quebec succeeded in being granted independence, it “would need to negotiate with the rest of Canada about assuming its share of federal debt” (Ragan, Christopher). This additional debt, which would equate approximately to 154 billion dollars, would be equal to 92 percent of the province’s gross domestic product (Ragan, Christopher). Undoubtedly, this would shake Quebec’s fiscal stability. There is also the possibility of Quebec

The Special Joint Committee of the House of Commons and the Senate was implemented in 1980 in the wake of the Quebec referendum on independence. The goal of the committee was to hear submissions from the public on amendments to the Constitution. In a three-month consultation period, 914 individuals and groups submitted briefs before the committee (Clément, 2015). Hoping to have a direct impact on the Canadian constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, five organizations

This discussion tackles the Quebec 1995 referendum, more especially regarding what would have been the consequence of a Yes Vote during the referendum. This topic is important, considering that it focuses on as issue of high political ramification, which has also found subsequent applications worldwide, with several other sections of different countries holding referendums to seek for a right to govern themselves as sovereign states. The significance of this topic rests in the fact that the Quebec 1995 referendum had a long political history which did not have an implication on Canada alone, but high potential implications on

Now Aboriginal rights are protected in the Constitution they have the same equal rights as any citizen in Canada. Canada achieved a just society by amending the scars of the collective rights of the Francophones of Canada. In the 1960’s English and French relations were very tense. Provincial governments took the right to speak French away. This led to many conflicts across Canada. When the new Charter of Rights and Freedoms was created it stated that a provincial government could not take away a Francophone’s right to speak their language. The new Charter also included that Francophone’s had the right to send their children to school in either French or English. Canada achieved a just society by relieving French and English tensions. Canada achieved a just society by giving Anglophones collectives rights in Quebec. English Canadians make up the majority of Canada. In Quebec, French Canadian’s have majority. Since they have majority English Canadian’s have collective rights. Before the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, laws in Quebec mostly affected Anglophones. According to Quebec’s Bill 101 which was passed by Parti Quebecois all signs had to be in French, and English citizens in Quebec had to attend French schools

In 1980 The PQ government called a referendum asking weather Quebec should have a new agreement with the rest of Canada. The No side won by a slim margin. In response to the referendum Pierre Trudeau promised to reform the Constitution. "Do you want "a new agreement with the rest of Canada, based on the equality of nations"? That was the heart of the question placed before the people of Quebec in the May 20, 1980 referendum. René Lévesque's Parti Québécois was asking Quebecers for a mandate to negotiate "sovereignty-association", an idea that inflamed federalists and separatists alike.

The Meech Lake Accord was an opportunity for change that was missed, but provided as a lesson for change in the future. Since, Quebec did not sign the Constitution, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney wanted to fix the relation between the country and Quebec’s dissatisfaction (Colyer, et al, 2010, p. 371). He wanted to unify the country together, so in 1987, The Meech Lake Accord was formed, it would give the provinces more power, and recognize Quebec as a distinct society and a minority (Gall, 2015, online). At first there was much support for this Accord, but soon this dwindled, as Former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was opposed it, saying it would encourage the separatists in Quebec by making Quebec feel like less of Canada (Colyer, et al, 2010, p. 371). Additionally, many women stood up and argued that Quebec being a distinct society would allow Quebec to override the Charter of Rights and Freedom and deprive them of their rights (Colyer, et al, 2010, p. 372). Indigenous people also argued if Quebec was distinct society they should be too, and it ignored their rights and place in Canada. In order to change the Constitution all 10 provinces had to sign in a three year period. Elijah Harper an indigenous chief and member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, voted NO and this was part of the failure of The Meech Accord and a turning point for the indigenous people of Canada, Phil Fontaine an indigenous leader said, "We came to the realization very quickly that our voice mattered. We could make history, we could change the course of history. We knew and understood what was possible." (CBC News, 2016, online). Although The Meech Lake Accord was a failure, it reflected the diversity of Canada and proved as a valuable lesson that still applies today. It showed how Canada wanted to change and this attempt provided

For most Quebecers, November 15, 1976 serves as a memorable date that triggered an array of effects that have come to define today’s Quebec. The date marks the Quebec general election in which the Parti Québécois (PQ) led by René Lévesque, defeated the Quebec Liberal Party, led by Robert Bourassa (Gossage & Little, 2012, p. 265). The victory caused many repercussions and reforms in rural zoning, auto protection, and laws on political party funding (Dickinson & Young, 2008, p. 333). Most notably, the triumph left federalists feeling powerless, particularly in Quebec’s English-speaking community, who were very concerned about the possibility of Quebec independence. Moreover, the bringing in of the Charter of the French Language (Bill 101) on August 26, 1977 contributed to the enlarging strain in Quebec’s English-speaking community (Gossage & Little, 2012, p. 266). As a result, a great deal of research has been made on the intense psychological transformations felt by Quebec’s English-speaking communities following the historic election.

McRoberts argues that Anglophone Canada has never been responsive to Quebec and its distinct needs. But to make matter worse, Anglophone Canada has taken on the opinions of Trudeau, and as such view giving any extra powers to Quebec as unfair. Thus, true recognition of Quebec has not happened, and the outlook for its future is not very bright. Seymour adds to this by stating what English Canada has not recognized is Quebec`s linguistic identity, as French, and its cultural identity, as bilingual. Finally, Gagnon and Taylor argue that the only way to properly recognize Quebec is through asymmetrical federalism. This will allow Quebec sufficient autonomy to protects its own culture as it sees

100 years ago today, the votes came in for the Charlottetown Accord with 54.4% of Canadians voting against it. This was yet another failed attempt to please Quebec, but it only made things worse. With tensions remaining high between the French and English Canadians, there is still no news of a third attempt, fearing that history will repeat itself. Canada can’t afford another failure; many think that it will push Quebec off the edge of become independent. Even though there are a lot of Canadians who can’t forget the past of Quebec, there are also many who don’t understand why this day is so significant. In order to explain that, we need to go back in time to the late 1900s. One of the key points in Canada’s relationship with Quebec happen shortly after the war; the

Although Quebec government won a substantial autonomy as result of its negotiation with Ottawa, nationalists saw the cooperation with the federal government is humiliating for Quebec to go to Ottawa seeking favours. While federalists supported “opting out” and federal tax concessions, reveals that they demonstrated the

Finally in 1867, the United Canadas joined two other British Colonies, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to form the Dominion of Canada (McRoberts 1991, 413). French-Canadians continued to fight against assimilation and received autonomous privileges with exclusive jurisdiction over matters regarding its cultural distinctiveness***. Thus, the Francophone language and culture has always been at the forefront of Quebec priorities. Since Confederation, Quebec nationalist have felt that the Francophone language and culture has been at risk of assimilation by the rest of Canada. As a result, Quebec nationalism is fundamentally rooted in the preservation of the Francophone language and culture (Guiberneau 2006, 52). Political leaders in Quebec continuously urge for the recognition that Canada is composed of two nations or cultures (McRoberts 1991, 413). Prior to confederation Quebec enjoyed numerous autonomous privileges. Unfortunately, post-confederation Quebec did not enjoy as many autonomous privileges because Canada was created as a relatively centralized federation (Beland and Lecours 2007, 406). A centralized federation not only took several of these autonomous powers away from Quebec, but it also threatened the Francophone language and culture (Beland and Lecours 2007, 406). With this said, Quebec nationalism has placed a great deal of pressure on the federal government to decentralize, giving more powers to provincial governments.

Overall the Constitution of 1982 is suitable to many people, but there are some changes that can be made to solve the Constitutional crisis. The first change that should be made is that the Meech Lake Accord should be a part of the constitution. The second change that should be made is that Quebec should receive more rights as a province. The third change that should be made is that Quebec should have had a say in the deal-making process of the Constitution. With all of these changes in effect, the Constitutional crisis will be solved. This is because Quebec will be a province that will be united with Canada, and the Meech Lake Accord will not ‘’die off’’, keeping their legacy, culture, and traditions alive. These three changes can bring peace