The Citizens' Forum on Canada's Future (French: Le Forum des citoyens sur l'avenir du Canada) was a commission established in November 1990 by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.
In the wake of the failure of the Meech Lake Accord, the federal government attempted to reach out to citizens by means of a public commission of inquiry.
In response to a perception that the country's unity was being threatened by linguistic and regional divisions, the purpose of the Citizens' Forum on Canada's Future was to engage Canadians in a discussion about the political and social future of Canada.
The Commission noted that many Canadians were willing to recognize Quebec's cultural and linguistic differences but not to grant the province special powers that might weaken the central government; most respondents saw official bilingualism as divisive and costly; the education system and media had not done enough to promote national unity; Canadians regarded cutbacks to federal institutions as insensitive to national symbols; and many Canadians had a lack of faith in government leaders and the political process.
Richard Cashin - lawyer, trade union leader and federal MP Carole Corcoran Fil Fraser - broadcaster the public servant Thomas E. Kierans - investment banker Jim Matkin - senior federal civil servant Robert Normand - Quebec civil servant, Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Raymond Sirois Keith Spicer, Chairman Roger Tassé - lawyer and civil servant Susan Van De Velde Elsie Wayne - NB municipal politician and later federal MP Helena Zukowski