摘要：On December 13, 1999 the Government introduced an act to give effect to the requirement for clarity as set out in the opinion of the Supreme Court of Canada in the Quebec Secession Reference. The Bill provides for the House of Commons to determine the clarity of a referendum question on the secession of a province and sets out some of the factors to be considered in making its determination. The Bill also provides for the House of Commons to determine, following a referendum if a clear majority of the population of the province has clearly expressed a will to cease to be a part of Canada. The Bill also provides that certain matters must be addressed in negotiations before a constitutional amendment on secession is proposed by a Minister of the Crown. In February 2000 a Legislative Committee chaired by Deputy Speaker Peter Milliken heard from 39 witnesses and on February 24, 2000 reported the Bill back to the House. Bill C-20 was adopted by the House on March 15, 2000. The following article looks at some arguments raised for and against the Bill during Committee hearings. Stéphane Dion is the federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. He testified before the Legislative Committee on February 16, 2000. Joseph Facal is the Quebec Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. He testified on February 24. Claude Ryan is former editor of Le Devoir and Leader of the Liberal Party of Quebec. He testified on February 2. Patrick Monahan is a Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. He testified on February 21. Gordon Gibson is a Senior Fellow in Canadian Studies at the Fraser Institute in Vancouver. He testified on February 2. For the full text of all testimony see the parliamentary internet http://www.parl.gc.ca.
