Declaration of Calgary

The Déclaration of Calgary was an agreement between the majority of the Prime Ministers for the provinces and territories of the Canada concerning the way of approaching futures amendments with the constitution of Canada. It was signed with Calgary (Alberta) the September 14th 1997 by all the Prime Ministers and heads of government provincial and territorial, except for the Prime Minister for Quebec, Lucien Bouchard. The declaration made following the controversy and division lived at the time of the constitutional Débat in Canada around the patriation of the constitution in 1982 and the subsequent failures of the agreements of the lake Meech and Charlottetown.

The agreements of Meech and Charlottetown had both granted to the Quebec the discussed statute of " distinct Company ". The Declaration was thus distinguished from this tendency by referring to the " single character of the company québécoise" rather than to endorse the recognition of Quebec as a distinct company. The role of the National Assembly of Quebec (" assembly législative" in the words of the Declaration) in the promotion of this single nature (spéficié in the declaration like including the use prevailing of the French language, the Québécois Culture and the Civil law) was reaffirmed.

Notwithstanding however this single character recognized in Quebec, as well as the single characteristics of the other provinces, the Declaration affirmed that all provinces must be equal in front of the law. Moreover, the capacities granted to a province during future negotiations constitutional were to be offered to the other provinces. In the process, the Canadian Fédéralisme was reaffirmed as being the system of the Gouvernement of Canada, and it was marked there that this system could continue to ensure that Canadian would as receive social services so much and a long time as the various stages of government " work in concert, while respecting their competences respectives".

The declaration also affirmed the rights to the equality (including " equality of the chances") and recognized the Canadian multiculturalism, affirming without turning that the " diversité" and the " tolérance" from Canada are " without similar in the monde." While recognizing Canadian diversity, the Declaration returned clarifies the reference to the " people autochtones with their cultures."

Reaction

According to a survey carried out by Angus Reid in November 1997, 62% of the Canadians supported the principles of the Declaration (39% rather of agreement, 23% very of agreement). Thirty percent were opposed there and 7% did not have an opinion. These figures were similar to those of Quebec, where 23% were very from agreement and 36% rather of agreement (59% on the whole); 30% were opposite there. Radio-Canada also found that in Quebec, 80% of the residents regarded the declaration as " acceptable" ; 18% were opposite there.

External bonds

Text of the Declaration of Calgary
Reaction of Lucien Bouchard

Random links:

Declaration of Calgary

Contents

Reaction

External bonds