Canadian Constitution Talks Near Breakdown

OTTAWA —  Key talks on reshaping the Canadian constitution were on the brink of collapse at the end of a marathon session Thursday, as Quebec’s provincial Premier Robert Bourassa announced that he would no longer participate in any discussion of Quebec’s “distinct” role within the nation.

The so-called distinct-society constitutional clause has been a central element of this week’s talks, and it is hard to see how the other negotiators can proceed without Bourassa.

The question has been settled, as far as Quebec is concerned, Bourassa said. But the premiers of Manitoba and Newfoundland are objecting to the “distinct society” provision for Quebec.

“We’re getting pretty close to having to fish or cut bait,” said Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who is chairing the negotiations, as he emerged at the end of a 12-hour session. “What is at stake here is the well-being of Canada.”

Debate over the national constitution has dragged on for months,confusing the public, dividing the country into federalist and separatists camps and radicalizing public opinion in the French-speaking province of Quebec. Analysts now say that, no matter what comes out of this week’s negotiations, the wounds inflicted by the debate have been so deep that relations between French and English Canada cannot go back to normal.

This week’s problem has arisen because Quebec has never signed the Canadian constitution, citing a number of objections. The current round of talks was just the latest in a three-year series of negotiations aimed at bringing the province into the constitutional fold.

In 1987, Canada’s 10 all-powerful provincial premiers had crafted a package of amendments meant to solve Quebec’s objections to the constitution. The package is called the Meech Lake accord, named for the lakeside resort where it was negotiated.

A crucial passage of the Meech Lake accord labels Quebec as a “distinct society” within Canada. Quebec says the clause must be inserted before it will sign the constitution. But Manitoba and Newfoundland argue that if Quebec leaders might use the special powers to enact provincial laws trampling on the rights of Quebec’s minority English speakers.

Their fears are not unfounded. Quebec has already enacted laws banning street signs in any language other than French, and the Montreal school board is considering regulations forbidding Anglophone children to speak English at school--even while playing.

As Prime Minister Mulroney and the 10 provincial premiers walked out of Thursday’s session, they vowed that they would return to the table this morning and try to patch up their differences. But it was difficult to see what they could do to bridge the gap. To make matters worse, the law says the Meech Lake accord must be ratified by June 23, or else it will become void and constitutional negotiations will have to start over.