WHAT IS YOUR PERCEPTION OF TRUDEAU?

How far are you willing to go with [trampling on

rights]?
Well, just watch me.

THE CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND

FREEDOMS
This is part of Canadas constitution and it is a
constitutionally-entrenched set of rights and freedoms to
replace the Canadian Bill of Rights
As part of the Constitution, theCharterwould become the
supreme law in Canada's political and legal system. All other
laws and government actions would have to be accordance
with these new constitutional rights and freedoms.

This was a controversial proposition as several provinces

disagreed with its inclusion fearing that it would significantly
shift political power from elected legislatures to appointed
courts.

WHAT RIGHTS DID THE CHARTER

SECURE?
Guarantees Fundamental Freedoms such as freedom of:

conscience and religion

thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press
peaceful assembly
association

Major rights include:

Mobility rights
Legal rights
Equality rights
Democratic rights

PATRIATION OF THE CONSTITUTION

Very contentious process
Gang of eight were strongly opposed but Trudeau
reluctantly agreed to the Notwithstanding clause and the
premiers (except for Rene Levesque) accepted the
proposal
The Notwithstanding clause was added to theCharteras
a means of alleviating provincial concerns about the
power of the judiciary

Trudeau went ahead despite the absence of

Quebecs agreement
This had lasting consequences in the sovereignty debates
1982 - the constitution was now on Canadian soil and
changing the constitution in the power of Canadians

AMENDING FORMULA
Its all about balancing the competing needs of
Canadians
Need to have seven out of ten provinces with
50% of the population in favour in order to
change the constitution
Senate reform/abolition as an election promise is
questionable

LIMITS TO THE CHARTER

Section 1 recognizes thatCharterrights and freedoms
are not absolute; that these rights and freedoms may be
limited under certaincircumstances.
Notwithstanding clause
Allows the federal government or provincial government to pass a law
even it if contravenes the Charter
It is the power to override elements of the Charter with respect to
Fundamental freedoms, legal rights and equality rights

Reasonable limits the government can limit a persons

rights or freedoms if it can show that doing so is
demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society
Particularly important with competing rights

EXPERT GROUPS
In five groups examine four major areas of social
activism/change to assess how Canada has
progressed socially
Use the text selections and the hand-outs to form
the basis of your group discussion
Each person takes one aspect and shares
One person is the facilitator/recorder
We will share out the results of your discussion

SOVEREIGNTY REFERENDUM
1980 Rene Levesque wanted a mandate to
negotiate sovereignty-association (not full
separation)
Shared currency
Common tariffs
Free trade between Canada and Quebec

WITH HONOUR AND ENTHUSIASM

In 1984, Mulroney
won 211 seats, 58
in Qubec.
It was the largest
majority in
Canadian history

MEECH LAKE 1987

Brian Mulroney tried to quell the fears within and
outside of Qubec by securing its consent to the
revised Canadian Constitution
(remember Qubec did not sign on in 1981)

Meech Lake Accord,

an agreement between the federal and provincial
governments that strengthened provincial powers and
declaredQubec a "distinct society."
Political support for the Accord later unraveled, and it
was never put into effect.

OKA 1990
Small Quebec town of Oka
a showdown between native people, provincial police and the
Canadian army

The violent clash was triggered by the attempt of

the town to expand a golf course over land
claimed as Mohawk territory
The Oka Crisis drew worldwide attention, catapulting
native land rights into the spotlight.

CHARLOTTETOWN ACCORD 1992

Mulroneys second attempt at getting the
constitutional issues settled
Charlottetown Accord contained:
Similar promises to Quebec as in Meech but guaranteed
25% seats in HOC
Inclusion of Aboriginal self-government
Senate reform (elected senators)

This time, the Accord was put to a referendum for

Canadians to decide
http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2295082883

THE 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 12 June 1995?"

1995 QUEBEC REFERENDUM

Jacques Parizeau PQ premier elected in 1994 and
determined to go for full sovereignty (as opposed to
sovereignty association)
Appeal to heart strings and humiliation from Meech Lake
Simple majority 50% plus one
50.58% no/non to to 49.42% yes/oui

Clarity Act (2000)

Clear question is needed (HoC can say if it is clear or not)
Substantial majority is needed (as opposed to 50% +1) and HoC can
say if it was a clear majority or not
Override a referendum decision if it violated terms of C.A.
All provinces and First Nations to be involved in negotiations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64MyonHjSb4

TRUDEAUS WOES
Trudeau came in on solid economic foundation but
OPEC put in an embargo in 1973 and oil & gas prices skyrocketed!
Inflation became a major problem

This became a period of high unemployment

Actions:
Increased transfer payments to the provinces and spent millions on
economic development projects (esp. Atlantic provinces)
Trudeau had to borrow to pay for social services and the debt ballooned

Controlled price of domestic oil, put a tax on exported oil and used
the funds to help in the east
National Energy Program (NEP) (promoted oil exploration)

MONEY IN THE 80S

MULRONEY
Came to power in 1984 with promises to fix the
economy and to bring Quebec to the constitution
with honour and enthusiasm
Economic principles included:
Cutting government services and the role of government
in the economy
Trickle-down effect (give tax breaks to wealthy
corporations and this will eventually benefit those below)
Increase economic links with the USA
Goods and Services Tax

FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS 1988 AND

1992
The free trade agreements removed tariffs from goods crossing
the border and opened up Canada and the US for investment

Promises
Canada would grow its
economy through US
investment
Canada would have
access to a bigger market
which would make
businesses grow
Attract US companies to
Canada

Fears
US branch plants would
have no reason to stay in
Canada
Canadian businesses
would not be able to
compete as US products
would flood the market
Independence would be
lost

1993

GETTING TO KNOW OUR PRIME

MINISTERS

http://www.prime-ministers.ca/index.php

SHAWINIGAN HANDSHAKE 1996

Shawinigan Handshake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMBJp0yJvsY