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On Wednesday, March 15, 2000, the House of Commons gave 3rd and final reading to Bill C-20, known as the Clarity Bill.
Bill C-20 gave legislative form to the August ‘98 opinion of the Supreme Court of Canada that Quebec could only expect the rest of Canada to negotiate secession if there had been a referendum with a clear question and a clear majority.
The NDP supported the legislation in principle, but expressed some concerns and committed to try and improve the Bill before it passed. This was not easy. Between the Liberal government trying to ram it through without sufficient debate, and the Bloc Quebecois determined to use every procedural tool to stop it, there was precious little room for constructive dialogue. All the more reason that I am happy to report that as the NDP MP responsible for this legislation, I was able to persuade the government to accept two very important amendments.
These amendments addressed a flaw in Bill C-20 whereby the aboriginal peoples of Quebec had been left out of the process by which it would be determined whether or not there had been a clear question and a clear majority. With the acceptance of my amendments, this was no longer the case.
Although Bill C-20 was non-controversial outside Quebec it wasn't an easy time for me as the New Democrat responsible for this legislation. Many progressive people in Quebec, including federalists, saw Bill C-20 as an attack on Quebec's right to self-determination. However, in my view, not only does Bill C-20 recognize the right to self determination, it entrenches and recognizes in law this right.
Bill Blaikie, MP
Click here to see Bill C-20 in its final form (including the successful NDP amendments).
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