Home | Business News | Browse by Publication | C | Canada and the World Backgrounder

Making the constitution.

Article Excerpt
It has been said that there are two things the public should never watch being made--sausages and constitutions. The processes, it seems, are so messy that the public appetite for both will be lost. In Canada's case, the rule applies. Since the constitution-building process began in September 1864 it has often been ugly. Stories of drunkenness, violence, and betrayal add spice to the saga.

We have assigned a fictional reporter to give us an account of the entire process. This unfortunate writer is now more than 150 years old and getting tired of the assignment. But, like all good journalists, ours researched the background.

In 1759, the Battle of the Plains of Abraham was fought just outside Quebec City. Britain and France had been fighting for some time for control of North America. British forces of about 4,500 were under the command of General James Wolfe. The French garrison in Quebec City was led by General Louis-Joseph Marquis de Montcalm, and had a strength of about 4,500.

Neither general could be described as brilliant. Wolfe was indecisive and sickly, Montcalm was defeatist and timid. During the night of the 12th and 13th September, British soldiers scrambled up the cliff to the east of Quebec City. Dawn found them lined up ready to do battle. The French were taken completely by surprise and General Montcalm flew into a rage. Instead of waiting for nearby reinforcements to arrive, he led his troops out to fight.

The...