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Voting for change

Broadcast Date: Sept. 11, 1994

Independence is once again dominating the election campaign. All polls show Jacques Parizeau and his Parti Québécois ahead of Premier Daniel Johnson and his Liberals. Parizeau, a firm believer in an independent Quebec, has once again put Quebec's future in the spotlight. It's a debate that has captured the attention of the nation, reports CBC Television. Despite strong support for the Parti Québécois, polls indicate that Quebecers want to stay in Canada.

A panel of experts tells CBC's Wendy Mesley that Quebecers are more interested in a change of government than independence. On Sept. 12, 1994, Parizeau and the Parti Québécois replace the Liberals as widely predicted. The PQ wins a majority with 77 seats. The results mean Canadians must once again wrestle with the notion of an independent Quebec.

Voting for change

• Jacques Parizeau held a referendum on Oct. 30, 1995, asking Quebecers if they wished to change their relationship with the Canada. In a highly emotional campaign, the "Non" side won by a wafer-thin margin, receiving 50.6 per cent of the votes to the "Oui" side's 49.4 per cent.

• On the night of his loss, a frustrated Parizeau stirred up controversy when he said francophones had been defeated by "money and the ethnic vote." Parizeau's remarks led to his resignation the next day. He was replaced by Lucien Bouchard, who would step down as leader of the Bloc Québécois and leader of the official Opposition in the House of the Commons.

Voting for change

Medium: Television

Program: Sunday Report

Broadcast Date: Sept. 11, 1994

Guest(s): Michel C. Auger, Don MacPherson, Francine Pelletier

Host: Wendy Mesley

Duration: 15:43

Last updated:
July 17, 2009