Before 1982, Canada's constitution was the British North America Act. Any changes to this constitution required the approval of the British government. For years, Canadian governments had considered patriating the constitution, but no agreement could be reached. In 1981, Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau decided it was time to act upon the ideas of the Canadian people. Trudeau and the premiers of the 10 provinces of Canada met in 1980 to resolve the issue of an acceptable amendment formula. Prime Minister Trudeau wanted to