The Canadian Constitution

Eugene J. O’Sullivan is a law professor at Laurentian University.

In The Canadian Constitution, political scientist David Milne offers
timely observations on Canadian politics and the Constitution. Like many
recent writings on Canada’s Constitution, this book analyzes the
events leading up to the most recent attempt at amending that
document—the failed Meech Lake Accord. Starting with the return to
power of the federal Liberals under Pierre Trudeau, in 1980, Milne looks
at the key political events and individuals that have marked the
constitutional process since then, including the Quebec referendum, the
1982 constitutional amendments, the rise of Brian Mulroney’s
Conservatives and the attempt to implement the Accord.

As Milne quite correctly points out, to a student of constitutional
history, a sometimes dreary subject becomes fascinating when studied in
the Canadian context. This book is an excellent primer for anyone who
wants to become familiar with the subject. It abounds with tables and
includes a chronology and several appendixes of constitutional
documents, which help situate the reader in time. Of particular interest
is the author’s analysis of the politics surrounding the negotiation,
the ratification process, and the eventual collapse of the Meech Lake
Accord.

This book includes commentary up to and including the Bélanger-Campeau
report in the spring of 1991. In its final chapter, Milne notes that as
Canada enters its next, and perhaps most crucial, round of
constitutional talks, the major questions—the status of Quebec,
aboriginal issues, Senate reform, and regional disparity—are still far
from being resolved. However, as the author suggests, wide democratic
participation in the constitutional process is what Canadians have
demanded from their politicians to ensure that future changes to the
Constitution will reflect their aspirations. The process is no doubt far
from complete, but in keeping with the tenor of this book, it is likely
that the constitutional process in Canada will continue to be
fascinating.