Trudeau, province leaders still debating constitution

November 4, 1981

Canada's national and provincial leaders continued to bargain over future power-sharing behind closed doors, grasping for common ground on how to change the country's outdated British constitution.

Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and the provincial leaders discussed compromise formulas for amending the constitution, resolving a long, bitter dispute that pits Mr. Trudeau's desire for a strong central government against the premiers' view that his proposed changes would diminish their own powers.