2.4 Balancing Majority and Minority Rights

Question 1

French English Conflict: Quebec Referendum

Answer 1

The Parti-Quebecois viewed their election to the provincial government as a mandate to try to negotiate a “Sovereignty-Association” agreement with the rest of Canada.

The Quebec Referendum, (1980) failed by 60%
A second Quebec Referendum (1995) failed by 50.6%

Question 2

French English Conflict: The Clarity Act

Answer 2

-The clarity act established clear requirements for any future referendum or negotiation.

-The Supreme Court decided that Canada can’t be broken up by a one-vote majority in a provincial referendum.

-They also decided that the referendum must ask a simple question. “Separation, yes or no?”. It can’t involve additional and confusing conditions about a mandate.

Question 3

Indian Act (ON TEST)

Answer 3

The most damaging piece of legislation for the indigenous population of Canada.

-Creates legal categories of Status and Non-Status Indians that have caused division among Indigenous peoples.

-Many indigenous peoples (both Status and Non-Status) refuse to be defined by this federal law.

-Protected Aboriginal lands by appointing non-Aboriginal agents to execute the Act’s conditions.