Author Description

This document examines the historical, political and geographical status of Canada, its distribution of power, the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement of 1989, and Canada's relations with the United States. The Meech Lake accord, a proposal designed to establish Quebec more firmly under the constitutional umbrella by granting the province distinct society status, is analyzed. Should the accord fail to be adopted, the separatists may gain power and tensions increase between the Quebecois and the English-speaking majority with serious implications for U.S.-Canadian relations. The document contains illustrations, questions for students and discussion groups, and an annotated reading list. (NL).