QUESTION PERIOD — Privy Council Office
Intergovernmental Affairs
May 29, 2025
My question is for the Government Representative. In 2000, the Parliament of Canada passed An Act to give effect to the requirement for clarity as set out in the opinion of the Supreme Court of Canada in the Quebec Secession Reference — otherwise known as the Clarity Act. The first sentence of the preamble also specifically names Quebec.
In light of increasingly strident separatist rhetoric in Alberta and also in Saskatchewan, would you clarify with clarity whether the government believes that the Clarity Act applies to provinces other than Quebec?
Thank you for your question. It’s not really a matter of belief, honourable colleague, it’s a matter of law. The Clarity Act applies to all provinces.
Can you state then, for the record, what hurdles a province would have to clear before it could separate?
Well, senator, thank you for the question. Were I in a classroom, perhaps, in a law school or otherwise, that would be a question I would welcome. But in the brief time, let us simply say that this government is working hard to keep this country strong and united and will continue to do so.
