Why did Quebec’s government reject the Constitution Act of 1982?

The government of Quebec, led by the separatist Parti Québécois, rejected the Constitution Act of 1982 primarily for two reasons:

• Diminished Authority: The government argued that the new constitution reduced Quebec’s power over language and education, specifically noting that provisions in the new Charter of Rights and Freedoms conflicted with Quebec’s language legislation, known as Bill 101.12
• Loss of Veto: The act effectively removed what Quebec considered to be its constitutional veto over changes to the federation.2

Although the Quebec government challenged the constitutionality of these changes in court, the Supreme Court of Canada ultimately rejected Quebec’s claim to a constitutional veto in December 1982.1