Unilateral patriation.

OTTAWA--24 October 1980

The two sides of the House of Commons face each other--the distance between the government and opposition benches is, by tradition, at least two sword lengths. Separated thus, MPs are safely far enough apart to avoid killing one another during heated debate. This assumes that Members will not cross the open space between; an assumption that came close to being proven false tonight.

The Liberal government was forcing closure on the debate on Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's constitutional package. The opposition Conservatives strongly objected to this forced ending of the debate. This prompted Liberal MP Ron Irwin to cross the floor and scream something unpleasant at Conservative Leader Joe Clark. Tory frontbencher Harvey Andre rushed to Mr. Clark's defence and clenched fists were raised. Conservative Whip Bill Kempling then stepped between the two would-be pugilists before any actual punches were thrown.

Such are the emotions stirred up by Mr. Trudeau's attempt to patriate the Constitution without the consent of the provinces. What a change from five months ago when the Prime Minister received sustained applause from members of all parties in the House of Commons. Mr. Trudeau had just stated his bottom-line conditions for a new Constitution:

* A federal Parliament with real powers applying to the whole country;

* Provincial parliaments with powers no less real in their own territories; and.

* A Charter of Rights and Freedoms for individual Canadians, including language rights.

Mr. Trudeau ended his statement by saying: "For us, everything else is negotiable."

But negotiations with the provinces have bogged down. He says he is now acting alone because last month's first ministers' meeting failed to agree on constitutional reform.

The Prime Minister has many opponents over his action. Only the premiers of Ontario and New Brunswick support him. The others, called the Gang of Eight, are strongly opposed.

Quebec, Newfoundland, and Manitoba have even started court challenges. These cases are expected to land, eventually, at the Supreme Court of Canada, which will have to decide whether or not the Prime Minister's actions are legal.

Mr. Trudeau says he will go ahead and present his package to the British Parliament for passage with or without provincial consent. However, several British MPs have said that unless provinces are on side they will oppose the package. Prime Minister Trudeau's response is that if the British members don't like it, "they'll just have to hold their noses and pass it."

In January 1979, the Pepin-Robarts Task Force on Canadian Unity recommended that changes are needed to reflect regional diversities in Canada and Quebec's special status.

In May 1980, 76% of Quebeckers said they had a profound attachment to Canada.

Pierre Trudeau http://www.clevernet.on.ca/pierre_trudeau/index.html