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Referendum: Quebec Separatism?
The first referendum in Quebec was between the Liberal Party of Canada (Pierre Trudeau) and Parti Québécois (René Lévesque). The second referendum was also between the Liberal Party of Canada (Jean Chrétien) and Parti Québécois (Jacques Parizeau), 50.16% vote for NON, and 49.84% vote for OUI. Both Referendums failed. -
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The “Kitchen Accord”
English Canada tried to bring Quebec in the constitution. The Federal Justice Minister and the Justice Ministers from Saskatchewan and Ontario, came up with the “Kitchen Accord” in the kitchen of the National Conference Centre, which was agreed by all premiers. But the Quebec premier Rene Levesque was staying at a different hotel that night and did NOT support the Kitchen Accord. -
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The Constitution Act
Queen Elizabeth signed the Proclamation of the Canadian Constitution. The new amending formula is the federal government and 7/10 of the provinces representing 50% of Canada’s population. Which means that Quebec could be excluded as long as Ontario is included. After the Constitution Act, Canada became a completely independent nation, but also left cracks in national unity. -
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Meech Lake Accord
PM Mulroney called premiers to discuss the Constitution at Meech Lake, Quebec. Mulroney offered more power to provinces and to recognize Quebec as a distinct Society. However, former PM Trudeau argued that this would separate Canada, and Aboriginal people also demand a “distinct society” to be protected. As a result, Quebec rejected the Accord. -
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Parizeau New PQ Leader
Jacques Parizeau became leader of the Parti Québécois. He told party members that their primary goal must be independence for Québec.
This is a "bad" news for Canadians who wanted unity, and will further hurt the relationship between French and English Canada. -
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Founding of the Bloc Québécois
The former member of Mulroney’s Cabinet, Lucien Bouchard, formed the Bloc Québécois party after the failure of Meech Lake Accord. They support Quebec separatism. During the 1992 referendum on the Charlottetown Accord, the party contributed to 57 % of “No” in Quebec. -
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Charlottetown Accord
This is the PM Mulroney’s second attempt to bring Quebec in. The Accord answered Quebec’s concerns, reform the Senate and promised Quebec 25% seats in the House of Commons. However, when putting the accord into referendum, 54.3% of Canadians rejected it. Quebec thought the accord did not give them enough power while gave the aboriginal and the westerns too much power, and other provinces felt the accord gave Quebec too much power. -
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James Bay Cree Referendum
The James Bay Cree held a referendum to decide if their territory should remain a part of Canada and should Québec vote to separate in its own forthcoming referendum. With a voter turnout of 77 per cent, 96.3 percent voted in favour of staying with Canada. This vote was a political statement to the Government of Québec, and formalizing opposition to Québec separatism. -
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Referendum Law Struck Down
The Supreme Court of Canada reject Québec's controversial law of limiting spending on referenda. -
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Supreme Court Rules on Separation
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Québec could not separate from Canada without first negotiating with the federal government and the other provinces. This limit the power of Quebec, and make them uncomfortable. -
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Clarity Bill Passed
The House of Commons passed its clarity bill, setting guidelines for a referendum on separatism of Quebec, and stating that the referendum question must be clearly worded and supported by a clear majority.