Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 24, 1990 TAG: 9006240013
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MONTREAL LENGTH: Medium
Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa bitterly criticized Newfoundland Premier Clyde Wells for killing the Meech Lake accord and said he would boycott future constitutional talks.
There has been widespread concern that the Meech Lake failure might lead the people of Quebec to push for independence, or more likely, some sort of sovereignty-association relationship with the rest of Canada. But Bourassa indicated only that his government is studying its options.
A decision by Wells on Friday to shelve debate in the Newfoundland legislature on the constitutional amendment effectively killed the Meech Lake accord, which needed approval in all 10 provinces by midnight Saturday to take effect.
Federal opposition leaders blamed the accord's failure on what they called Mulroney's lack of leadership and urged him to resign.
"The accord, which was drafted to achieve unity, became over three years a lightning rod for discontent about budget and interest rates, free trade and taxes," Mulroney said in his television address. "It attracted accusations of favoritism and sentiments of rejection, and stimulated regional rivalries and even linguistic tensions.
"Much of the discontent of Canadians found expression in hostility to the Meech Lake accord."
Mulroney said he would begin working Monday to find another approach to constitutional reform, and he tried to calm fears of political instability by telling foreign investors not to worry about Canada's present problems.
Bourassa, in a speech to his National Assembly in Quebec City, said that in the future he would only negotiate one-on-one with the federal government, not with the other provinces.
"The process of constitutional reform has been discredited and the government of Quebec will not agree to go back to the constitutional table," said Bourassa.
Quebec's leader also said he would not take part in the annual meeting of provincial premiers and the prime minister in August, in which national issues are discussed.
"In preparing its future, Quebec has important assets," Bourassa said, citing the province's economic strength and the strategic location.
"Quebec has the freedom of its choices," he said. "And it's going to make its choices with realism and calm. I can assure you that my only goal will be the superior interests of the Quebec people."
Jacques Parizeau, leader of the separatist Parti Quebecois, extended his hand to Bourassa to work out a new direction for the province.
Newfoundland and Manitoba were the only holdouts against Meech Lake, named after the government retreat near Ottawa where it was originally worked out in 1987.
Manitoba leaders tried to bring the accord to a vote, but were blocked by a lone Indian legislator who promised to kill the accord because he wanted a similar recognition as distinct for native people.
"While the world gears up for the 21st century," Mulroney said, "we have failed to resolve a debate that predates confederation itself."
"To my fellow Quebecers, I want to say how dismayed I am that Quebec has not, at this time, been able to rejoin the constitutional family with honor and enthusiasm," said Mulroney, a native Quebecer. "But Quebec emerged from these negotiations with its dignity and its principles intact."
Meech Lake, a constitutional amendment, was aimed at winning Quebec's signature on the 1982 Canadian constitution.
Many in English Canada feared the accord would have given Quebec extra powers. But constitutional experts said the "distinct society" clause would have had few practical effects.
by CNB