Tensions between English and French-speaking Canadians - the Council's beginnings
In 1964, a group of Quebecers, alarmed by growing tensions between French and English-speaking Canadians, formed the Canada Committee, forerunner of the Council.

Quebec's Quiet Revolution was bringing about rapid change. There were calls for major constitutional reform, which gave rise to an embryonic separatist movement.

Nationally, the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism was laying the groundwork for such reforms as the official languages policy. Its goal was to ensure that the federal government would provide citizens with services in the official language of their choice.

Western Canada felt left out of these debates and, for a number of reasons, its sense of alienation started to increase.

During this period, the Canada Committee's members built bridges in every region by working hard to better understand the roots of these tensions, to shed light on their significance and to find solutions.

Ultimately, the committee became The Canadian Unity Council, a name that better reflected its evolving mission.

To counter the separatist threat, a coalition of Canadians
In 1976, Canada was confronted with a separatist government in Quebec that was preparing the way for a referendum on independence.

The Council, aware that this concerned all Canadians and was not just a matter to be settled among Quebecers, organized a broad coalition of federalists from all political parties.

As the 1980 referendum approached, the Council moved on several fronts: it kept Canadians regularly informed about what was at stake; it published studies on the relationship between Canada and its provinces; it explained the flexibility of Canadian institutions, and the federal system, as well as the great values that underpin a country with strongly defined regions.

Thus, during one of the most important debates in the country's history, the Council, while adhering to its status as a non-partisan organization, accomplished its mission to educate, inform and get citizens involved.

Post referendum, an intense constitutional debate
During the referendum campaign, the federal government had promised that a "NO" to separatism would be a "YES" to constitutional change. The constitution was patriated, amended and The Charter of Rights and Freedoms was entrenched.

Nevertheless, in 1982, the constitutional debate re-ignited and continued into the early 90s.

Throughout this period of constitutional and political turmoil, the Council, backed by its volunteers, and in keeping with its mission and non-partisan character, energetically supported the work of those who took part in the discussion throughout the country.

A new referendum followed by a cool-down
Despite an intense period of constitutional debate among opinion leaders, broad public interest in the issue waned. It was in these circumstances, that Canadians suddenly faced the prospect of a new referendum challenge to national unity.

Again, the Council played a central role, providing solid information about the Canadian federation and pointing up its advantages. It heightened Canadians' awareness of federalism as a very sophisticated form of political organization, an ever-changing balancing act.

In the wake of this tumult, which was also marked by a major decision by the Supreme Court of Canada about the referendum process, Canadians seem ready to set constitutional negotiations aside for a while.