How did Canada, land of peace, order and good government, arrive at a constitutional crisis that imperils its existence as a nation? Have Ottawa's options narrowed to drastic decentralization, a mere economic union, or breakup? If not, what concessions should be offered to Quebec to keep the country intact?
These and other questions are here addressed in a series of 20 papers by leading academics, journalists and experts on public policy issues. They include:
- The Right Honourable Pierre Elliott Trudeau on the importance of popular sovereignty and individual versus collective rights;
- Stephen Scott on the legitimacy of force if breakup should occur;
- Michael Walker on guarantees for private property and other essentials for an amendment package.
Contributors also probe the economic costs of separation, discuss aboriginal accommodation, and isolate fundamental principles for defending and strengthening federalism.
