In 1995, thousands of Canadians streamed into Montréal from all over Canada a few days before the referendum on Québec sovereignty that ultimately failed.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Reflecting on 60 years of constitutional politics helps shed light on a new way forward for Québec politicians.
Left to right, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Finance Minister Allan MacEachen and Québec Premier René Lévesque attend the constitutional conference in Ottawa on Nov. 5, 1981 — the morning after eight premiers hastily pieced together a constitutional accord.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ron Poling
The constitutional reform agreement reached in November 1981 has produced a bitterness in national relations that lingers to this day and imposes on Canada a cost that has weakened the nation.
Pierre Trudeau hosts a meeting at 24 Sussex in Ottawa with the provincial premiers on Sept. 12, 1980.
THE CANADIAN PRESS
Pierre Trudeau’s contribution to the remaking of Canada cannot be questioned. Throughout the 1980 to 1982 constitutional debates, he reminded Canadians of their country’s basic values.