Document Information
Date: 1980-08-30
By: Nicholas Gwyn
Citation: Memorandum from Nicholas Gwyn to the Prime Minister, Preamble to the Constitution (30 August 1980).
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Note: This document is discussed in an article that has been recently submitted to a peer-review journal.
CONFIDENTIAL
August 30, 1980
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRIME MINISTER
Preamble to the Constitution
Mike Kirby and I thought you might want a report on the results of yesterday’s CCMC discussion of this item. Mich of the story is reflected in the CCMC’s report on the Preamble to First Ministers; a copy is attached.
The issues on which the federal delegation was attempting to secure provincial agreement were as follows:
1. Explicit acknowledgement that the people are the source of authority for the continuance of the federal union.
2. Agreement that there should be no implication in the preamble that the will of Canadians in regard to the continuance of the federation, or the existence of Canada, is dependent upon or expressed exclusively through “the provinces” (or the provincial governments).
3. Recognition of the distinct French-speaking society in Canada centred in … Quebec.
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