Statement regarding the judgement of the Superior Court of Quebec concerning the validity of the contested articles of Bill 99

The Superior Court of Quebec concluded that Bill 99 does not confer any right to unilateral secession. That is what the Attorney General of Canada argued.

The judge reiterated the findings from the Supreme Court opinion of 1998 to the effect that any future secession must adhere to the Canadian constitutional framework: a clear majority in response to a clear question, in addition to negotiations and an amendment to the Constitution in accordance with Part V of the Constitution Act, 1982.

The Superior Court found that Bill 99 essentially reaffirms certain principles of Quebec’s provincial constitution.

This judgment confirms that Canada cannot be taken away from Quebecers, nor Quebec from other Canadians, without respecting their constitutional rights.