The Constitution Act 1982

1. The Constitution Act 1982 A Story of Canadian Nationalism, Turmoil and Betrayal

2. What to copy down.... • Only copy down the highlighted text.

3. British North America Act • Created in 1867 for the Confederation of Canada • Under the authority of the British Parliament • The federal government had tried unsuccessfully for years to bring the Constitution to Canada

4. Agents of Change • During the lead up to the 1980 Referendum in Quebec PM Trudeau had promised ‘change’ to Quebeckers if they rejected sovereignty association • With the failure of the referendum Trudeau felt the time was right to repatriate (bring home) the constitution

5. The Process • Trudeau and the 10 provincial premiers met to revise the constitution – with no success • Trudeau gave the premiers one last final ultimatum to reach a deal or be left out of the process • Trudeau and 9 premiers (not Rene Levesque – Quebec) worked through the night to reach a deal

6. The Night of Long Knives • The following morning Levesque learned a deal had been reached in his absence • Levesque complained the deal confirmed that “Quebec was alone” within Canada • The purpose of constitutional renewal had been to reassure Quebec of its place within Canada – instead it further alienates them

7. The Main Points • The three main points of the agreement were: 1. The power to amend (change) the constitution would be brought home from Britain 2. Changes to the constitution required the approval of the federal government and 7 provinces (comprising 50% of the pop.) 3. A Charter of Rights and Freedoms would be added to the constitution

8. The Constitution Act 1982 • The federal government voted in favour of the patriation package • The Parti Quebecois government in Quebec order all flags to be flown at half mast to signify the “insult” from English Canada • The British Parliament approved the changes to the BNA Act and the Constitution Act 1982 was born