MPs pass Bloc motion on Quebec nationhood, constitutional change

MP objects to ‘rushed’ law MP Anthony Housefather on why he objects to a new law in which Ottawa affirms Quebec’s right to change a section of the constitution.

MONTREAL — Federal lawmakers are acknowledging Quebec's right to unilaterally change the Constitution in line with proposed reforms to the province's language law.

In the House of Commons today, a motion from Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet that asked lawmakers to recognize that right passed 281-2 with all-party support.

Blanchet's motion cleared a path for House recognition of Premier Francois Legault's attempt to amend the country's supreme law by affirming Quebec as a nation with French as its official language.

The legislation, known as Bill 96, has stirred up debate as experts fret that constitutional acknowledgment of a distinct society would push courts to interpret laws differently in Quebec or hand it greater provincial power.

Blanchet said Tuesday Quebecers need to know where the parties stand ahead of an election that could come this year.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said an initial Justice Department analysis concluded the province can go ahead with the changes, but some experts disagree, saying constitutional tweaks to language use require a parliamentary green light.

Anthony Housefather, Liberal MP for Mount Royal in Montreal, said Tuesday that passage of Blanchet's motion does not amount to an agreement by the House to a constitutional amendment, which would require legislation, public consultation and extensive debate.

The Bloc failed to pass a nearly identical motion three weeks ago, which required unanimous consent and was scuppered by a single "nay" from independent MP Jody Wilson-Raybould, who also opposed this week's motion along with Independent MP Derek Sloan.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2021.