c's quest for sovereignty was proposed by the Parti Qubcois government, Quebec's first referendum in 1980. The P Q government asked the people of Quebec to vote on "Sovereignty-Association" with the federal government. This would mean that Quebec would be a sovereign state, but with continued economic links to the rest of Canada. Quebec's first referendum was crushed by a margin 60% to 40%.The federal government still recognized that there was still the threat of separation, and knew the economic and political consequences if Quebec did separate. The federal government responded by trying to negotiate another deal' which is now know as the Constitution Act 1982. The Act did include some language laws a new amending formula, Charter of Rights and freedoms, protection of civil liberties just to name a few. However the act did not recognize Quebec as a distinct society and as a result Quebec refused to sign. All other provinces signed except Quebec, but Quebec is still legally bounded by the Constitution Act in many areas. When Brian Mulroney came into power in 1984 he wanted Quebec to be a part of Canada and encouraged Quebec to rejoin the Canadian constitution by drawing up a document called the Meech Lake Accord which tried to take into account Quebec's conditions for rejoing the constitution. The accord recognized Quebec as a distinct society, guaranteed a increase of powers in matters of immigration, it contained a opting out principle with compensation of national programs within provincial jurisdiction , recognized Quebec's right of veto on constitutional amendments, and finally allowed participation on appointment of supreme court judges. Initially all provinces agreed, but in order for it to become law the constitutional amending procedures had to be followed. This meant there was a three year time limit for the unanimous approval of the federal and provincial government. The time limit was not met due to objections raised b...
