The Governor in Council referred three questions to the Supreme Court of Canada regarding the legality of a unilateral secession by Quebec.
The Court held that under the Constitution, unilateral secession is illegal.
However, the democratic principle dictates that a clear majority vote on a clear question in favour of secession would create a constitutional obligation on the rest of Canada to negotiate the terms of secession.
Under international law, the right to self-determination does not grant a right to unilateral secession to a constituent part of a democratic state that respects human rights and provides access to government.
Therefore, there is no conflict between domestic and international law.
