quebec referendum quebec referendum second referendum ask voters canadian province quebec quebec national sovereignty independent country condition precedent offering political economic agreement canada culmination multiple years debate planning failure constitutional referendum launched solely provincial government despite initial predictions heavy defeat complex campaign followed yes taken charismatic leader fast rise yes campaign apparent inability personalities campaign counter message created atmosphere great uncertainty federal government canada voting took place october featured largest voter turnout quebec history option carried votes retired following day later state quickly proceeded declaration independence result negotiations failed refused later revealed federal position event yes victory controversies provincial vote counting direct federal financial involvement final days campaign canadian politics decade referendum took place aftermath close result federal government recognizing quebec distinct society federal constitutional veto procedure referred issue stated contemplated referendum illegal background quebec province canada foundation sole majority french speaking province long ruled forces focused province french catholic identity canada quiet revolution early 1960s prompted surge civic economic nationalism voices calling independence province establishment nation state eventually found like minded groups seeking independence canada arriving power government held referendum seeking mandate negotiate sovereignty association canada decisively defeated response referendum result prime minister declared seek canadian constitution bring eventually canadian charter rights freedoms tense negotiations november agreement reached constitution act enacted symbolic approval successor prime minister premier sought series constitutional amendments designed address quebec concerns known federal government provincial agreed series amendments powers recognized quebec forming distinct society accord fierce debate english canada fell apart dramatic fashion summer prompting outrage quebec surge support sovereignty accord collapsing cabinet minister government led coalition liberal members parliament quebec form new federal party devoted quebec sovereignty following events proclaimed referendum occur sovereignty new constitutional agreement subject prompted national referendum series amendments included proposals concerns broader canadian federation accord failed quebec english canada federal election liberals returned power majority government minister justice constitutional discussions won seats quebec vote result second largest party house_of_commons giving role allowing able confront question period daily basis quebec provincial election brought power led party platform promised hold referendum sovereignty term office premier won majority government popular vote prelude preparation referendum household quebec sent draft act future quebec referred sovereignty bill announcement commence february commission primary issue debate sovereignty movement terms sovereignty electorate long identified wing party opposed general historical preference economic relationship rest canada offered alongside sovereignty thought encourage federal government simply refuse negotiate cast project doomed happened practical matter believed given emotional circumstances separation special partnership unlikely given free trade agreements institutions unnecessary stance created opposition sovereignty movement leader popular charismatic figure come close death lost left leg recovery subsequent public appearances provided rallying point public large thought proposal lacking partnership doom project soft nationalists worried economic consequences separation polls showed approach highly unlikely exceed support referendum leaders movement engaged heated public debate moved planned referendum date fall deputy premier aroused stating want involved charge light brigade april conference speech demanding change direction expressed radio participating partnership proposal included leader new action stated consider participation referendum partnership question final findings issued april included statement public generally desired economic partnership canada position referendum wore agreed negotiate broader approach agree statement included partnership june agreement contained details partnership negotiation process general plan seeking sovereignty requiring economic social partnership offer negotiated presented rest canada importantly agreement allowed government declare immediate independence negotiations successful heard successful referendum quebec referendum prompted number actions consolidated application prominent lawyer asked interim permanent holding referendum federal attorney general declined intervene failing motion strike application quebec attorney general withdrew hearing government moved september sitting days forward sure parliamentary immunity prevent summoned testify justice court found legally performed constitutional amendment section constitution act declaration independence illegal refused issue injunction stop referendum believed workings government cause disorder referendum held court opted relief declaring sovereignty bill referendum constituted threat charter rights denounced decision stated constitution act apply quebec refused referendum quebec attorney general stated believed extra constitutional referendum legal international law announced following day ruling change strategy campaign federal officials questioned level government involved declaration ultimately federal government decided participate referendum question dramatic reading grand september final version sovereignty bill unveiled bill awaiting result referendum question referendum attempt build broad coalition sought authority negotiate sovereignty canadian government promised second referendum results negotiation believed second referendum unnecessary encourage remainder canada use delaying tactics draft initial act featured question asking authority declare quebec sovereign partnership agreement referendum question changed incorporate partnership agreement presented september voted october english question ballot asked agree quebec sovereign having formal offer canada new economic political partnership scope bill future quebec agreement signed june question came immediate fire input drafting leader stated confusing contained word country prominent argued referendum question mentioned partnership proposals canadian political leaders outside quebec shown interest negotiating possible partnership agreement independent quebec arguably entity capable undertaking negotiations actually existed argued question erroneously implied agreement reached canada quebec partnership june later express regret agreement cited question noted june agreement sent registered voter province campaign participants enacted prior referendum campaign conducted governed election campaign campaign spending authorized accounted yes national des des pour non umbrella committees committee authorized budget million campaign spending person group official committees illegal official beginning referendum campaign agreement june yes campaign headed official campaign chaired liberal leader making matters complex especially camp federal nature canada governing leader prime minister strongly represented province outside montreal involvement negotiations stance unpopular moderate swing voters referendum nationalist cabinet minister serve federal liberal representative committee leader prominently featured closely negotiations fearing politicians quebec occurred debates johnson campaign heavily controlled appearances federal politicians including johnson banned appearance leader ottawa majority campaign created frustration governing liberals ottawa prominent adviser believed campaign points focused future election position referendum early days campaign officially began october televised address leaders emphasized believed opportunity sovereignty future johnson chose forecast uncertainty yes vote provoke johnson campaign focused practical problems created sovereignty process emphasizing independent quebec uncertain position able control canadian dollar prominent business figures president head spoke believed yes victory spell doom quebec business interests initial campaign yes led campaigning separately addition traditional themes movement appeal quebec nationalism campaign attempted highlight slim possibility future reform canada federal system attacked business leaders intervening referendum calling betrayal quebec customers workers responses highly popular yes generally seen speeches business leaders highlighting economic uncertainty worried swing voters polls week highly disappointing yes camp showed percentage points decided voters larger gap voters weighed generally expected general fixture quebec politics decades strong views sovereignty known populace pressure create spark appointment ceremony october surprise announcement appointed chief partnership talks following yes vote came dramatic surprise campaign promoting popular fore simultaneously emphasizing partnership aspect question popular sensation addition medical struggles charisma moderate approach prominent involvement ottawa reminded nationalist voters federal years past politicians sides described appeal impossible personally attack contrast worn figures sides referendum advisor noted focus groups presented statements like participants refuse believe meant new polls eventually showed majority intending vote yes forces including johnson shocked development required wholesale changes strategy weeks vote unwilling believe given leadership role voluntarily camp ottawa assumed coup taken place maneuver pre planned voluntary dramatic events prompted federal politicians lobby similarly dramatic intervention ottawa federal government refused committee believed introduction margin error dramatically reduced campaign continued focus economic benefits federation speeches asked vote yes clear mandate change clarity yes vote provide final solution canada long standing constitutional issues new partnership popularity remarks white race lowest rate reproduction threatened cast project focused ethnic nationalism traversed ease successful regard apologized answering journalist question minority outside quebec helped independence stating lack accent ignorant subject referendum act committees required contribute sent voter describing positions official written stated quebec distinct society quebec enjoy autonomy areas provincial jurisdiction speaking hull challenged tell voters won ottawa withdraw provincial jurisdictions prompting vague response campaign october johnson hoping issue challenge declare position distinct society recognition presented request new_york united_nations meeting responded talking constitution talking separation quebec rest canada remarks direct contradiction johnson portrayed press blunt refusal position far difficult johnson liberal election platform moving country away large scale constitutional debates provincial governments far hostile constitutional process decade prior federal government typical ally ontario firmly pursuit constitutional accommodation french president answering viewer montreal cnn declared yes successful fact referendum succeeded recognized france rally people held auditorium october introduced focus quebec emotional attachment canada promised reforms quebec power startling announcement declared support quebec distinct society support reforms canadian constitution sudden reversal long standing position issue nervous appearance sparked considerable comment emphasized commitment constitutional reform victory achieved activism response referendum peoples quebec strongly affirmed right self determination nations chiefs said forcing peoples join independent quebec consent violate international law violating rights self determination groups demanded participants new constitutional negotiations resulting referendum particularly vocal prominent resistance idea included independent quebec grand chief issued legal paper titled sought right self determination keeping territories canada october organized referendum asking question consent people government quebec separate traditional territory canada event yes vote quebec referendum cast ballots voted stay canada held similar local vote asking agree quebec sovereign voting nations communities contributed significantly tense debate hypothetical partition quebec october addresses days vote united_states president bill_clinton recognizing referendum internal issue canada gave minute long statement virtues united canada ending canada great model rest world great partner united_states hope continue statement provided relief circles stronger endorsement position clinton popular quebec leader province important trading partner endorsing canadian unity strong electorate night prime minister gave televised address nation english french broadly similar languages promoted virtues canadian quebec touched shared values country warned use referendum result mandate declare independence canada explicitly stating result accepted announced quebec recognized distinct society future constitutional reform impacted quebec province consent yes provided english french given task languages yes campaign stating federal politician response french address recounted previous constitutional debate specifically targeting career actions including showing newspaper headline aftermath constitution featured laughing focused details partnership aspect proposal english address ask canadians understand yes announce intention negotiate good faith unity rally fisheries minister expressing anxiety staff referendum week told small rally planned montreal october asked federal advisor agreed allow invite canadians outside quebec rally provided quebec referendum laws adhered encouraged fellow caucus members send people possible gaining permission prime minister objections quebec members cabinet appeared national english language canada connection organization announced holding rally october canadians country attend rally support crusade canada noted committees formed ottawa toronto charter aircraft ordered unity sale proceeded chairman capacity private citizen suggest planes available rate request granted canada appearance resulted calls flooding offices english canada bus companies volunteered hundreds vehicles canadians outside quebec montreal rally estimated attendees estimates varying wildly crowd grew day spoke crowd occasion known images large crowd canadian flag iconic felt rally helped momentum campaign moving federal government intervention rally attracted protests yes felt coordination illegal intervention referendum publicly contrasted rally believed english canada collapse regretted granting permission committee scale known johnson felt rally exacerbated tensions regard english canada opinions rally impact divided unable rally happened final polls monday referendum produced opinion polling campaign polls reported press outlets general having voters split favour ranged vote result registered voted referendum higher turnout provincial federal election canada history proposal june rejected voters voting voting yes margin significantly smaller referendum yes choice french speakers estimated majority english french language voted margin majority yes vote yes strongest saint jean centre generally suburbs montreal disappointment results montreal soft support yes greatest surprise yes prompted speculation provincial government officials want uncertainty yes bring especially promised integrate displaced federal civil servants sovereign quebec heavily populated montreal home large population voted margins polling stations showed literally yes votes far north generally voted riding highest yes result northern shore voting yes riding highest result voting riding closest result yes won votes immediate responses supporters gathered montreal johnson expressed hope reconciliation quebec stated expected federal government pursue constitutional changes prime minister echoed similar sentiments johnson stated extended hand quebec premier government yes supporters met des referendum night result known speeches accepting result movement democratic convictions expressing hope subsequent referendum bring yes victory prepared concession speech rejected prepared spoke notes noting french speakers voted yes stated address french speaking spoken clearly favour yes stated thing stopped yes money ethnic votes referendum successful percentage french speakers remarks widely canadian international press sparked surprise anger yes camp movement gone great lengths ethnic nationalism confronted cabinet meeting morning remarks stating movement hide head shame opinions told cabinet resign premier leader later revealed declared retire yes lost interview taped days referendum days referendum yes supporter upset result broke ottawa residence armed knife attempted find kill prime minister bed discovered bedroom door unharmed eventually found responsible reason mental defect preparation yes victory believed yes vote plus vote binding result referendum act sovereignty bill general international law principle self determination event yes victory said intended return days result seek support motion recognizing result referendum speech prepared event yes victory said sovereign quebec extend hand canadian neighbour partnership wording referendum immediate plans referendum relied felt general pressure economic markets business community english canada stabilize situation quickly possible believed catastrophic initial events prepare negotiations despite prominent placement referendum campaign planned retain authority regard negotiations appoint members negotiation team occur believed quickly disregarded replaced negotiations representatives provinces federal government refused negotiate negotiations exceed october stated proceed declaration independence independent quebec section sovereignty bill hopes international recognition practical requirement rested france believed quebec declared independence circumstances president powerful power broker sympathetic sovereignty movement pressure president recognize declaration counted french recognition spread quickly bring issue head canada ambassador time believed plan doubted supposed neutral figure role bring sufficient pressure country semi presidential system interviews conducted believed negotiations resulted yes won quebec remained canada autonomous status approving intention declare independence negotiations refused implied able control negotiations offer subsequent referendum new agreement noted international recognition difficult leaders yes campaign willing slow process necessary believed short seat united_nations accomplished yes won recognition referendum force effect provincial law sanctioned committee federal government input question referendum strongly differed yes referendum result recognized campaign head disputed yes position simple majority sufficient declare independence believed question vague gave broad mandate given issue uncertainty negotiations refused publicly comment consider possible yes victory point stated referendum bound federal government negotiations permitted declaration independence wording speeches referendum noted interpret yes vote mandate separate quebec canada offered recognition legal recognizable speech drafted event yes vote stated question ambiguous binding dissatisfaction status quo stated reform party leader prominent proponent direct democracy recognized result critics preferred yes vote electoral gain recognized referendum legitimacy draft post referendum speech interpreting yes vote drastic reform canadian federation instead separation official position result recognized negotiations little planning possibility yes vote canadian federal government general consensus referendum easily won planning spark panic referendum legitimacy members federal cabinet met discuss possible scenarios including referring issue quebec independence supreme_court senior civil servants met consider impact vote issues territorial boundaries federal debt dispute arose prominent members cabinet elected quebec represent canada hypothetical partnership negotiation manning intended immediately resignation general election referendum successful liberals independent quebec seats sizable majority house_of_commons doubt able assure governor general retained support party remain prime minister canada intention result stay office new_brunswick premier later confirmed invited hypothetical national unity cabinet yes victorious general understanding ontario premier included controversies post referendum rejected ballots counting completed approximately ballots rejected deputy returning officers alleging marked properly voter polling station featured deputy returning officer appointed yes counted ballots poll clerk appointed recorded result count controversy arose deputy returning officers rejected ballots vote dominant proportion rejected ballots member told reporters orchestrated attempt steal vote riding study released months referendum concluded greater votes higher percentage rejected ballots des launched inquiry alleged irregularities supervised chief justice ballots plus sample ballots examined inquiry concluded ballots rejected valid reasons incidents isolated majority rejected ballots votes proportion majority valid votes districts deputy returning officers charged violating elections laws found guilty decision upheld found ballots rejected fraudulent irregular manner proof conspiracy judge acquitted deputy returning officer charged illegally rejecting ballots cast polling district denied application attempted force access million ballots ruling authority expired referendum ballots appeals exhausted cabinet minister said coordinated ballot officials denied judges canada sent province ensure qualified immigrants living quebec possible canadian citizenship referendum able vote goal outstanding citizenship applications processed residents quebec mid october new obtained canadian citizenship quarter granted citizenship month october confronted issue suggested taken hurry citizenship applications immigrants likely vote minister responded common provincial election campaigns provinces spending limits incorporated montreal based lobbying group called mandate promote quebec received million funding million million reported march group funds sources created help citizens left quebec vote register electoral list committee handed pamphlets referendum including form added list voters pamphlet gave toll free number contact information number referendum filed criminal charges illegal expenditures behalf dropped quebec attorney general ruled sections referendum act restricting party expenditures restrictive canadian charter rights freedoms communications director students association ottawa charged quebec election act referendum illegally hiring buses bring supporters montreal rally environment minister told reporters wear charges like badge honour years later dismissed charges stating actions took place outside quebec quebec election act apply asked retired quebec court judge investigate publishing secrets option canada alleged spent helping campaign determined illegally spent referendum drew conclusions said evidence wrongdoing rally plan sabotage movement urged report called federal inquiry occur responses referendum ballot quebec elections redesigned reduce size space voters indicate choice rules markings relaxed deputy returning officers fewer grounds rejecting ballots quebec government changed electoral act voters need canadian passport quebec drivers license quebec provincial health care card polling station identification purposes future elections aftermath quebec resignation led leader premier unopposed maintained referendum forthcoming provided winning conditions occurred government chief priority reform quebec economy resign leader significant pressure english canada resigned national leader acclaimed leader liberals defeat election subsequently continue government focus retired replaced promises robust stance sovereignty issue premier quebec election distinct society veto referendum attempted pursue constitutional recognition distinct society stopped blunt refusal ontario premier discuss constitutional matters wanting engage negotiations provincial governments dominated governments opted pursue federal changes fulfill government commitments included act constitutional amendments required permission provinces quebec ontario british_columbia federal approval granted constitutional amendment granting quebec facto veto federal parliament officially recognized quebec distinct society changes constitutional amendments theoretically future plan pursued called plan hoping convince quebec voters economic legal obstacles follow quebec declare sovereign public face professor included reference followed federal intervention post referendum case reference quebec stated illegal require constitutional amendment clear majority clear question bring sort obligation federal provincial governments negotiate decision liberal government passed clarity act stated future referendum clear question represent clear majority federal parliament recognize validity section act stated questions provided mandate negotiation envisioned partnerships canada considered unclear recognized passed proclaiming right self determination referendum act currently sponsorship scandal following narrow victory government established advertising campaign aim sponsor hunting fishing recreational events promote canada quebec events sponsored legitimate large sum money general released report november outlining problems eventually led investigation sponsorship scandal leader argued canada trying buy excuse channel dirty money liberal friendly pockets scandal extensive coverage quebec contributed support sovereignty movement consulted ray turning points campaigns changed canada excerpt text search cardinal mario breaking point quebec canada referendum montreal isbn jean years prime minister toronto vintage canada isbn documentary montreal les des isbn david portland publishing isbn morning referendum day toronto alfred canada isbn documentary john robert joseph polls quebec referendum
Quebec referendum, 1995