Options for a New Canada

Agar Adamson is the author of Letters of Agar Adamson, 1914–19 and former chair of the Department of Political Science at Acadia University in Nova Scotia.

The book under review is an interesting and significant collection of
essays by a representative sample of Canadian academics on the
continuing saga of reforming the Constitution. As with any publication
on a current topic, some of the papers have been superseded by events.
Nevertheless, there are several important essays in this work that will
stand the test of time.

The first of these is Guy Laforest’s piece on Quebec.
English-speaking Canadians may not like the tone of his argument, but he
presents the Quebec view admirably—with reason, yet with compassion.
Anyone who thinks the Quebec problem can be easily resolved should read
this essay. Laforest’s analysis cannot be faulted. As one might
suspect, his essay (he is one of the only two Québécois authors in the
work) differs from all of the others in substance and in its
conclusions. All of the remaining authors see the solution as a revised
federal structure.

Alan Cairns, in his essay, illustrates how the 1982 Charter of Rights
and Freedoms has drastically altered the constitutional process by
permitting long-excluded groups to become players in the process. Those
who view the Charter simply as a passive document to protect their
rights from government encroachment should read Cairns to understand how
his “Charter Canadians” have changed the political landscape, much
to the politicians’ displeasure.

Peter H. Russell’s essay on a new constitutional process is, in some
respects, a continuation of Cairns’s arguments. Russell favors a more
open process, including the possibility of a constituent assembly (which
may prove the most acceptable vehicle for reform).

Ronald L. Watts presents a thoughtful outline of the various
alternatives available both inside and outside Quebec. His comparison of
today with 1864-1867, though, may not be especially helpful: the
situation today cannot be compared to that of 1867.

The seventeen essays are divided into six sections: Overview and
Introduction (both by Watts); The Context; Basic Options and Processes;
Models (particularly from Europe); and Areas of Adjustment. Also
included as authors are such well-known and respected constitutional
authorities as Peter Meekison, David Milne, Patrick Monahan, Tom
Courchene, and Alain Gagnon.

The catalyst for this publication was the Business Council on National
Issues, which hosted the January 1991 conference at which these papers
were presented. Scholars, both today and in the future, owe a debt of
gratitude to the Council—for no matter what the politicians do in
1992, this work will remain a valuable source of material for future
researchers.