A LOOK BACK: Quebec's 1995 referendum

  • Yes supporters cheer during a speech by Bloc Quebecois Leader Lucien Bouchard at a junior college in Montreal Tuesday, Oct. 24, 1995. (Ryan Remiorz/ THE CANADIAN PRESS)

    'We’re in trouble': 25 years later, what -- if anything -- has changed since the Quebec referendum?

    Even today, when you ask Montrealers about 1995, you can see the stress rise as they relive that infamous—or famous, depending on who you ask—year. Have we ever learned how Quebec came so close to separating, or what stopped it?

  • Quebec Liberal leader Daniel Johnson makes his way through a crowd of supporters with his wife Suzanne Marcil after the No victory in the Quebec referendum Monday night in Montreal. (CP PHOTO) 1995) 1995 (Jacques Boissinot) OPINION

    Jedwab: In the 1995 Quebec referendum, did federalists pursue the right strategy?

    Despite winning the popular vote, you couldn't shake the feeling on that evening that the federalist side lost the campaign.

    Quebec Premier Francois Legault arrives at his desk for question period, Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at the legislature in Quebec City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

    'Quebecers don't want this': Legault fires back at PQ over referendum calls

    In a lively exchange during Question Period in Quebec City on Thursday, Premier Francois Legault dismissed the PQ's push for a third referendum, calling it a 'bad idea.'

    false
    Former Quebec Liberal premier Jean Charest

    In depth: Charest on 1995 referendum memories

    Former Liberal premier Jean Charest speaks about the 'no' campaign during the 1995 Quebec referendum.

    Air Date: October 28, 2020

    Quebec Liberal Leader Dominique Anglade questions the government on the COVID-19 pandemic, during question period Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at the legislature in Quebec City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot OPINION

    Dominique Anglade: 25 years after the 1995 referendum, something’s left unfinished

    Quebec Liberal leader Dominique Anglade shares her thoughts on the 25th anniversary of the 1995 referendum.

    A Yes supporter holding a Quebec flag chants nationalist slogans prior to a concert of Quebec rock stars in support of sovereignty in Montreal Friday Sept. 29, 1995. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

    25 years later, a sovereign Quebec seems even less likely: survey

    A quarter of a century after Quebecers narrowly voted against a sovereign Quebec, a new Leger poll suggests support for independence remains in the minority.

VIDEO FROM THE ARCHIVES

  • false
    Jacques Parizeau recorded speeches on Oct. 30, 1995 to be broadcast worldwide in the event Quebec voted 'Yes'

    What if it was 'Yes'? Parizeau's message to Anglophones

    false
    Quebec's unity rally

    1995 archives: Quebec's unity rally

    Air Date: October 20, 2020
    false
    Quebec Referendum

    Video Vault: 1995 broadcast from Quebec Referendum

    Air Date: October 30, 2015
    false
    Jacques Parizeau's infamous speech

    Watch Parizeau's referendum night speech

    Air Date: October 26, 2020
  • false
    Canada AM: The Quebec Referendum

    The Quebec Referendum and the day that 'Almost Was'

    false
    Jacques Parizeau announces his resignation as Premier of Quebec and leader of the Parti Quebecois on Oct. 31, 1995

    Marc Laurendeau explains Parizeau's legacy

    false
    Jacques Parizeau is flanked by Lucien Bouchard on Oct. 2, 1995 while campaigning for an independent Quebec.

    Parizeau campaigns: Oct. 2, 1995

    Air Date: June 2, 2015
    false
    Power Play: Remembering the referendum

    Power Play: Remembering the referendum

    Air Date: October 30, 2015

In pictures: Quebec's 1995 Referendum

  •  
    Oui photo

    In pictures: Quebec's 1995 referendum

    A photo gallery looks back at the 1995 Quebec referendum.

Referendum articles from the archives

Quebec politics today

  • Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand. (LA PRESSE CANADIENNE/Jacques Boissinot)

    Province announces Quebec City tramway will cost $7.6B, should be in service in 2033

  • Quebec Liberal Party leadership candidate Charles Milliard leaves after a media availability as the Quebec Liberal Party caucus meets in Gatineau, Que., on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

    QLP leadership race: a fourth MNA backs Charles Milliard

  • Pablo Rodriguez at a press conference in Gatineau, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. Rodriguez, who is running for the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party, received a number of endorsements. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

    Pablo Rodriguez announces new support for his PLQ leadership bid

  • Quebec Premier Francois Legault sums up the fall session during a news conference at the premier's office in Quebec City, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

    Quebec premier wants to ban praying in public

  • Parti Québécois MNA Pascal Paradis questions the government during question period, Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at the legislature in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

    CAQ refuses consultations on gun violence and young people

  • A farmer harvests a soy crop in Levis, Que., Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. (Jacques Boissinot / The Canadian Press)

    Quebec introduces new bill to curb the loss of farmland

  • The Quebec National Assembly. (Daniel J. Rowe/ CTV News)

    Quebec adopts motion on sexual exploitation of minors

  • Quebec Treasury Board President Sonia Lebel responds to the Opposition on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the National Assembly. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

    Quebec wants to change rules for negotiating with public sector unions

  • Quebec Premier Francois Legault responds to the Opposition during question period, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024 at the legislature in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot / The Canadian Press)

    Despite devastating poll, Quebec Premier Legault confident he’s here to stay

FEATURED

  • A cook prepares a poutine at La Banquise restaurant in Montreal on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The restaurant has been sold to Chez Ashton owners. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

    Smoked meat and poutine! Montreal restos make world's most legendary list

    Referee Ken McLellan was in hospital after an unhappy hockey player aimed a slapshot at his face. (Submitted)

    Quebec hockey referees speak out about being subjected to violence on the ice

    Montreal blacksmith Mathieu Collette said he has a 'little place in paradise' after he led a team of blacksmiths to forge axes used in the reconstruction of the Notre-Dame Cathedrale in Paris. (Swidda Rassy / CTV News)

    Montreal blacksmith says he has a 'place in paradise' as Notre-Dame reopens its doors

CTV News Montreal | Quebec Referendum