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Title
Sacrifices

Issues
Patriation / Canada Act (1982)
Since Confederation, Canada could request changes to Canada’s Constitution, but an act of British Parliament was still required to make amendments. Initially undertaken as fulfillment of a campaign promise made by Pierre Trudeau, patriation would involve transferring the power to amend the Canadian constitution from the British Parliament to Canada. One of the many difficulties he faced was to proceed in such a way that was acceptable for all of the provinces, particularly Quebec. Quebec Premier René Levesque was unhappy with many of the provisions, particularly with the lack of a constitutional veto for the province, and refused assent. Despite this fact, after protracted negotiations and revisions, Queen Elizabeth II came to Canada to proclaim the new Canada Act (also called the Constitution Act), which includes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, on April 17, 1982. Levesque was incensed and as a result renewed his dedication to Quebec separatism. Subsequent initiatives such as the Meech Lake and Charlottetown Accords sought unsuccessfully to address the issue of Quebec’s identity within the Canadian Constitution.

Persons
Gerald Regan
- Born Gerald Augustine Regan, February 13, 1928
- Liberal
- First elected to the Canadian House of Commons, 1963
- Resigned to become leader of Nova Scotia Liberal Party, 1965
- Premier of Nova Scotia, 1970 to 1978
- Supported industrialization and development of offshore gas and oil
- Returned to federal House of Commons, 1980
- Minister of Labour and Minister of State for International Trade (appointed by Pierre Trudeau), 1980 to 1984