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Records reveal what Chrétien told ministers before Quebec referendum
Federal cabinet records reveal Chrétien’s pivotal late involvement helped secure a narrow 50.58% win for Canada in the 1995 Quebec sovereignty referendum.
- Newly disclosed federal cabinet minutes show sombre discussions as Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada, took centre stage and federalists won the 1995 referendum vote by 50.58 per cent.
- The referendum question framed sovereignty with an offered partnership, asking if Quebec should become sovereign only after making a formal offer for a new economic and political partnership, while separatist leaders Jacques Parizeau and Lucien Bouchard split over separation versus partnership.
- Polling showed the lead evaporating as Lucien Bouchard surged, and Parizeau's Oct. 7 naming of Bouchard as 'chief negotiator' handed him campaign control.
- Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada, urged federal cabinet ministers to stay calm and avoid overreaction as cabinet minutes reveal a frantic effort to hold the country together.
- Cabinet secrecy rules allowed release after two decades under federal access to information legislation, and the Canadian Press report first published Oct. 14, 2025 offers fresh insight 30 years after the referendum.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Thirty years after the 1995 referendum, singer Lou-Adriane Cassidy broke the silence and displayed her colours. She was independent and she said she was ready to defend the option and get involved in the event of a third referendum.
Records reveal what Chrétien told ministers days before Quebec referendum
Six days before the nail-biting 1995 Quebec referendum that nearly tore the country apart, Jean Chrétien told his ministers to keep their cool. The sombre message, delivered behind closed doors, is coming to light through newly disclosed federal cabinet minutes obtained by The Canadian Press.
"If he hadn't intervened [...], I think we would have lost the country," said former Deputy Prime Minister Sheila Copps.
Records Reveal What Chrétien Told Ministers Before Quebec Referendum
Six days before the nail-biting 1995 Quebec referendum that nearly tore the country apart, Jean Chrétien told his ministers to keep their cool. The prime minister acknowledged that day that Quebecers might vote to separate from Canada on Oct. 30. He told his cabinet it wasn’t the time to discuss the consequences of a vote for independence, but if it happened, “no one should panic or act precipitously.” The sombre message, delivered behind closed…
L’actualité
canadafrancais.comMONTREAL — Six days before the 1995 referendum, Jean Chrétien asked his ministers to stay cool. On that day, the Prime Minister acknowledged that Quebecers could vote on October 30 to separate from the rest of Canada. He told his cabinet that this was not the time to discuss [...]
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- 72% of the sources lean Left
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