Document Information

Date: 1981-11
By: n.a.
Citation: Communique for all Liberal Members of Quebec, Constitutional Agreement – The isolation of Quebec (November 1981).
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COMMUNIQUÉ FOR ALL LIBERAL MEMBERS OF QUEBEC

SUBJECT: Constitutional Agreement – The Isolation of Quebec

The Parti Québécois Government has repeated since the agreement was signed by nine premiers that Quebec was once again isolated.

It is very important to explain that if Quebec appears to be isolated, it is because the Péquiste government wishes to give this impression.

The isolation argument serves the long-term goals of the Parti Québécois. But Quebec is not isolated: it is the Parti Québécois government which is isolated.

The constitutional agreement enhances the position of Quebec and of the French language and culture in Canada.

Quebec’s powers cannot in the future be diminished without the consent of the Assemblée Nationale.

Under the agreement signed by the 9 Premiers on November 5, 1981, Quebec will have a right of veto in the future for any amendments of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, including the linguistic rights for francophone minorities outside of Quebec.

That is to say that the right of access to primary and secondary school for francophones outside of Quebec will never be suppressed without the consent of Quebec.

Francophones outside Quebec and Quebeckers moving to any other province will, at long last, have the constitutional right to be educated in their own language.