A Meech Lake Post-Mortem: Is Quebec Sovereignty Inevitable?

Fournier points out that the Meech Lake Constitutional Accord was flawed for both Quebec and English Canada. It offered Quebec too little to satisfy those wanting sovereignty but was largely incompatible with the rest of Canada’s vision for the future of the country. He imputes responsibility for the failure of the accord to a number of groups and individuals, including Pierre Trudeau, Clyde Wells, Jean Chretien, the dissenting provinces, and Canada’s native people. Certain attitudes in English Canada – primarily the impetus behind multiculturalism and the insecurity over American influence and the Free Trade deal with the United States – have come together to form a strong challenge to Quebec’s desire to be recognized as a distinct society. While Fournier believes that sovereignty for Quebec has recently become a more realistic option, he shows that many obstacles remain. Among these are the division, contrary to popular belief, of Quebec’s business class on the issue and the preference of Bourassa’s government for a renewed federalism. The response of the rest of Canada to Quebec’s new constitutional initiatives, Fournier maintains, will have considerable influence on how far down the road to sovereignty Quebec may choose to travel.