The Meech Lake Accord was an attempt to amend the Canadian Constitution. It would have strengthened provincial powers and declared Quebec—whose separatist government had refused to accept the new Constitution in 1981—a distinct society within Canada. To be ratified, the Accord required public hearings in the legislature unless all members consented to dispense with hearings. Although all 10 provinces were brought in to negotiate the changes, no First Nations were consulted, despite being recognized within the Constitution. In response, Elijah Harper, an Oji-Cree member of the Manitoba legislature, withheld his consent for approval to go ahead eight separate times and the Accord did not come to a vote, sparking the disintegration of political consent over the Accord, which ultimately did not pass.