The Meech Lake Accord set out a proposed constitutional amendment negotiated in 1987 between Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and the premiers of the Canadian provinces and territories to amend the Constitution Act, 1982 to strengthen provincial powers and recognize Quebec as a “distinct society.”

Without the support of all provinces, the agreement is doomed to failure.

In 1991, one year after the failure of the Meech Lake Accord, the Fédération des francophones hors Québec demanded that it be acknowledged that there is a need for a partnership between Quebec and Francophones outside Quebec where each party could contribute to the other’s development.