High stakes in the 1995 Quebec referendum

Quebecershead to the polls today to vote on their future, and change could well be in the cards.

But in 1995, the results of a Quebec vote had stakes much higher than a possible change in governing party: it had the potential to end in the province's sovereignty from Canada.

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On Oct. 1 that year,then-Premier Jacques Parizeaulaunched the referendum campaign by gathering some of his cabinet ministers to sign the campaign writ.

An 'exciting' future...

It declared that a referendum onthe independence of Quebec was to be held on Oct. 30, 1995.

"I think we'll make it," Parizeautold journalists after the document was signed. "I think we'll have a country very soon, and yes, it is exciting."

Parizeau, leader of the separatist Parti Qubcois, hadbeen elected a year earlier on a platform of Quebec sovereignty.

The referendum had already been in the works for months andthe 43-word question had been hammered out.

"Vote Yes and you can tell your grandchildren you took the right decision for Quebec," said Parizeauthat night in a televised address.

... Or 'agigantic joke'

His opponent and head of the Nocampaign was Daniel Johnson, the province's Liberal leader.

"We have to provide Quebecerswith more information," he said on the first day of the campaign. "The more people know, the more people vote No."

He described Parizeau'svision as a "gigantic joke."

In his own televised address, Johnson urged Quebecersto reject what he called Parizeau'snegative vision.

"We haven't been oppressed orexploited," he said. "We helped build this country, and without Quebec, Canada will no longer exist."

When the ballots were counted after a passionately fought campaign, the No side won withof 50.58 per cent of the vote.

"Yes" campaign confident of a win

29 years ago

Duration 2:30

"I think we'll have a country pretty soon," says Jacques Parizeau, leader of the Yes side in the 1995 Quebec referendum.