meech lake accord: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Historical, Political
Quick answer
What does “meech lake accord” mean?
A specific, failed 1987–1990 constitutional amendment agreement in Canadian history.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific, failed 1987–1990 constitutional amendment agreement in Canadian history.
Refers to a landmark attempt to secure Quebec's formal assent to the 1982 Constitution Act, which became a symbol of constitutional negotiation failure and national unity crisis in Canada.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
While 'accord' is understood in both dialects, the term is specific to Canadian political history and would be largely unknown in other Anglophone contexts without explanation.
Connotations
In Canadian discourse, it connotes high-stakes constitutional politics, national division, and a pivotal historical moment. Outside Canada, it has little to no inherent connotation.
Frequency
Used almost exclusively in Canadian English within academic, political, and historical registers. Extremely rare in British or American English general usage.
Grammar
How to Use “meech lake accord” in a Sentence
the [Adjective] Meech Lake Accordthe Meech Lake Accord [Verb: collapsed/failed/expired][Verb: negotiate/ratify/oppose] the Meech Lake AccordVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meech lake accord” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Meech Lake Accord negotiations were protracted.
- Post-Meech Lake Accord Canada faced renewed unity questions.
American English
- The Meech Lake Accord negotiations were protracted.
- Post-Meech Lake Accord Canada faced renewed unity questions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable; rare outside political/historical contexts.
Academic
Used in political science, Canadian history, and constitutional law to analyze federal-provincial relations and constitutional reform processes.
Everyday
Virtually unused in everyday conversation outside Canada, and even in Canada, primarily in educated discourse about politics/history.
Technical
A precise term in Canadian constitutional history and political studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meech lake accord”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meech lake accord”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meech lake accord”
- Incorrect: 'the Meech Lake Accord was successful.' (It failed.)
- Incorrect: 'Meech Lake Accord' used as a common noun (e.g., 'a meech lake accord'). It must be capitalized.
- Incorrect: Confusing it with the later 'Charlottetown Accord'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It was a set of proposed amendments to the Constitution of Canada, negotiated in 1987, aimed at gaining Quebec's formal agreement to the constitutional framework established in 1982.
It failed because it was not ratified by all ten provincial legislatures within the three-year time limit. Manitoba and Newfoundland did not pass the required resolutions.
Yes, in Canadian political discourse it remains a potent symbol of constitutional failure and the challenges of accommodating Quebec's distinct status within the federation, influencing subsequent political debates.
The Meech Lake Accord (1987-1990) focused primarily on Quebec's conditions. The Charlottetown Accord (1992) was a broader, subsequent package addressing issues like Senate reform and Indigenous self-government, which was defeated in a national referendum.
A specific, failed 1987–1990 constitutional amendment agreement in Canadian history.
Meech lake accord is usually formal, academic, historical, political in register.
Meech lake accord: in British English it is pronounced /miːtʃ leɪk əˈkɔːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /mitʃ leɪk əˈkɔrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MEECH' - 'Missing Everyone's Endorsement, Causing Havoc' at a lake where a historic Canadian accord was negotiated and ultimately failed.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FOUNDATION THAT CRUMBLED (for a failed constitutional agreement).
Practice
Quiz
What was the primary goal of the Meech Lake Accord?