Agreement to enable Quebec to acquire exclusive power to make its laws (sovereignty)

• A. 1980 Referendum
• B. 1995 Referendum
• C. Charlottetown Accord
• D. Meech Lake Accord

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is Quebec’s push for sovereignty and what that would mean for its power to govern itself. Sovereignty implies having exclusive authority to make and enforce laws as an independent state.

The 1980 referendum is the best match because it was the first major vote asking Quebecers to approve becoming a sovereign state, with the possibility of an economic and political partnership with Canada. In other words, it directly addresses Quebec gaining full legislative authority as an independent entity. The other options were constitutional reform efforts within Canada ( Meech Lake and Charlottetown) or a later sovereignty referendum, which aimed at redefining Quebec’s relationship with Canada rather than establishing exclusive law-making power as an independent state.