Quebec plans to reopen constitutional debate

QUEBEC • Canada’s Constitution has become a taboo topic among members of the political class in recent years — but it appears that’s about to change.

The Canadian Press has learned the Quebec government plans to reopen the constitutional debate and will launch a vast coast- tocoast discussion in the coming months in the hopes of having the province’s distinct character officially recognized.

While there is no timeline for the campaign, Philippe Couillard’s government hopes to create favourable conditions that could lead to the eventual reopening of constitutional negotiations and to Quebec finally approving the 1982 Constitution.

To avoid the division and outright hostility that has characterized previous constitutional debates, Quebec’s approach will be essentially a pedagogical one, focused on dialogue, persuasion and understanding.

Couillard has spent several years developing his thinking on the subject and drafting a 200- page founding document entitled “Quebecers: Our Way of Being Canadians,” which lays out the government’s position on Quebec’s place within Canada. The Canadian Press has obtained a copy of the document, which is expected to be made public in the coming days.

When he became leader of the Quebec Liberals in 2013, Couillard — a staunch federalist — promised to reopen constitutional “discussions” with Canada in order to help the province “reintegrate into the Canadian family.”

That goal appears to have been largely pushed aside — until now.

Above all, Quebec hopes to break the taboo that has surrounded discussion of the Constitution since the 1995 sovereignty referendum, according to the document, which notes “Quebec and Canada seem ready for a paradigm shift” on this. According to the document, any successful talks must include Canada’s official recognition of Quebec nationhood.