Merits and Drawbacks of Constitutional Reform

Abstract

Seeking formal Constitutional change at this time– i.e., amendment of the Constitution Acts – would be a big mistake. I am sure the government of Quebec realizes this and that is why its message in Quebecers our way of being Canadian downplays that kind of change in the near future and does not call for an immediate return to the constitutional negotiating table. I applaud that sensible approach but the negative reaction Quebecers our way of being Canadian provoked so quickly from media gurus and governments showed how much opposition there is outside Quebec to formal constitutional negotiations. That negative reaction was based on either deliberately distorting the Government of Quebec’s message or simply not reading it carefully. But I think it would be wise for Quebec to de-emphasize its interest in returning to constitutional negotiations soon.