David Empey

I've just watched Don Newman interview Jean Chretien about the anniversary of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The interview reminded me how much fun Chretien was. I often did not agree with his position on issues (though I just as often did), but at least he had charm and wit.

Newman asked him, at least twice, whether or not he fully understood the importance of the Charter at the time it was created (when Canada's Constitution was patriated in 1982). He never quite answered the question, but it is a good one to ask. I think it is unlikely that he, or the others then at the table, did fully understand the importance of the document. Everyone was very focused on patriation itself.

Newman also asked Chretien which is more important - patriation of the Constitution or the creation of the Charter), and also never quite got a clear answer. While patriation was symbolically important, it was (and is) also divisive (because Quebec did not sign). The impact of the Charter, on the other hand, has been very tangible. Maybe the real question is whether or not the Charter was worth patriating without Quebec.

It seems to me it probably was.