Reference Re Secession of Quebec
| Reference Re Secession of Quebec | |
|---|---|
| Hearing: February 16–19, 1998 Judgment: August 20, 1998 | |
| Citations | [1998] 2 SCR 217; 1998 CanLII 793 (SCC); (1998), 161 DLR (4th) 385; (1998), 55 CRR (2d) 1 |
| Docket No. | 25506 |
| Holding | |
| Quebec cannot secede from Canada unilaterally; however, a clear vote on a clear question to secede in a referendum should lead to negotiations between Quebec and the rest of Canada for secession. However, above all, secession would require a constitutional amendment. | |
| Court membership | |
| Chief Justice: Antonio Lamer Puisne Justices: Claire L'Heureux-Dubé, John Sopinka, Charles Gonthier, Peter Cory, Beverley McLachlin, Frank Iacobucci, John C. Major, Michel Bastarache | |
| Reasons given | |
| Unanimous reasons by | The Court |
Reference Re Secession of Quebec, [1998] 2 SCR 217 is a landmark judgment of the Supreme Court of Canada regarding the legality, under both Canadian and international law, of a unilateral secession of Quebec from Canada.
Both the Quebec government and the Canadian government stated they were pleased with the Supreme Court's opinion, pointing to different sections of the ruling.