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An uncertain victory

Broadcast Date: Sept. 28, 1981

In the battle between the federalists and the premiers, both sides are claiming victory. The Supreme Court has just ruled that Trudeau's resolve to proceed with patriating the Constitution unilaterally is legal. But — and it's a big "but," claim the premiers — the prime minister should not do so without having a "substantial" number of premiers on his side. In this CBC Radio clip, both sides debate who actually emerged the winner.

An uncertain victory

• "For 54 years, all the governments have tried to get a unanimity to solve the problem and we have come to the conclusion that it was not possible, so we decided to proceed the way we have proceeded and we intend to finish the job." — Federal justice minister Jean Chrétien, 1981.
• "In the circumstances, for the government of Canada to try to proceed with its resolution would be destructive of national unity and would be absolutely wrong for this country." — Leader of the Opposition Joe Clark, 1981.

• Two months after the Supreme Court decision, Trudeau chaired another constitutional conference. During this meeting, Trudeau proposed to Lévesque that they focus on bringing the constitution back to Canada and then work on the amending formula and division of powers. If they still failed to reach a consensus, the issues would be brought before the people in a referendum.

• Trudeau recalled in his memoirs that Lévesque agreed in private and then recanted before the group. The former prime minister noted that by then it was too late; the Québécois premier had shattered the trust and the united front of the "Gang of Eight."

An uncertain victory

Medium: Radio

Program: CBC Radio Sports Special

Broadcast Date: Sept. 28, 1981

Guest(s): Bill Bennett, Jean Chrétien, Joe Clark, René Lévesque

Commentator: Dennis Baxter
Reporter: Stephen Boissoneault

Duration: 15:46

Last updated:
Dec. 10, 2003