Scheer open to echoing Quebec’s constitutional demands in 2019

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said Friday he is open to echoing some of the Quebec government’s constitutional demands in his party’s 2019 election platform.

During a trip with his family to Quebec City, the Tory leader said Premier Philippe Couillard’s plan included some “very interesting proposals.”

Couillard announced last May he hoped to create favourable conditions that could lead to the eventual reopening of constitutional negotiations, and to Quebec finally approving the 1982 Constitution.

The Quebec premier said at the time he wanted to launch a vast coast-to-coast discussion in the hopes of having the province’s distinct character officially recognized.

Scheer told reporters he had read Couillard’s proposal, and it’s normal for a Quebec leader to be focused on the issue.

“I’ve had discussions with my colleagues (on the question),” said Scheer, adding “We will find practical things we can do with it.

“Our electoral program in 2019 will talk about issues important to Quebec,” he said, without giving details.

Last spring, when The Canadian Press first reported on Couillard’s plan, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was against the idea.

“You know my opinion on the Constitution,” Trudeau said at the time. “We’re not reopening the Constitution.”

Couillard’s constitutional plan restated the famous “five conditions” for approval first set out by former Quebec premier Robert Bourassa in 1986: recognition of Quebec as a distinct society; limits on federal spending power; guaranteed Quebec representation on the Supreme Court; a constitutional veto right; and increased control over immigration.