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.'

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    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

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    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

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    Quebec's unity rally

    1995 archives: Quebec's unity rally

    Air Date: October 20, 2020
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    Quebec Referendum

    Video Vault: 1995 broadcast from Quebec Referendum

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

    Watch Parizeau's referendum night speech

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

    The Quebec Referendum and the day that 'Almost Was'

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    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

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    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
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    Power Play: Remembering the referendum

    Power Play: Remembering the referendum

    Air Date: October 30, 2015

In pictures: Quebec's 1995 Referendum

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    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 Solidaire finance critic Haroun Bouazzi speaks after the tabling of the provincial budget, at the legislature in Quebec City, March 12. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

    Quebec solidaire member faces rebuke for saying fellow politicians target minorities

  • The Parti Quebecois feels that if it wins the next election, it can also win a third sovereignty referendum despite polling suggesting Quebecers are not in favour of one. (Karoline Boucher / The Canadian Press)

    Parti Quebecois leader remains convinced he can win a sovereignty referendum

  • Quebec Solidaire MNA Michelle Haroun Bouazzi questions the government, at the legislature in Quebec City, Thursday, April 6, 2023. (Jacques Boissinot / The Canadian Press)

    Quebec legislature condemns QS MNA Haroun Bouazzi

  • Parti Quebecois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon questions the government on immigration during question period, Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at the legislature in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

    PQ leads in Quebec voting intentions as CAQ loses more support: poll

  • Catherine Gentilcore, far right, poses at the Parti Québécois national education council on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Saint-Hyacinthe. (Jacques Boissinot/La Presse canadienne)

    PQ president Catherine Gentilcore picked as candidate in Terrebonne byelection to replace Fitzgibbon

  • Quebec Liberal MNA Marc Tanguay during question period at the legislature in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot / The Canadian Press)

    Quebec's Liberal Party wants a Quebec constitution

  • 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 on Friday. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

    Quebec Liberal leadership candidate Pablo Rodriguez receives several new endorsements

  • Sylvain Lévesque, CAQ MNA and Second Vice-President of the National Assembly, with Premier François Legault and Siegfried Peters, Secretary General of the National Assembly, on Oct. 18, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot)

    CAQ defends its ranking of citizens according to their political views

  • Health Minister Christian Dubé at the National Assembly on Nov. 5, 2024. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

    Health minister wants all Quebecers to have access to a health professional by 2026

FEATURED

  • Jeanette Scott looks through her new wardrobe with personal stylist Nicolas Pendenza in Montreal on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Scott, 72, turned to a stylist after coming out and wanting to explore her femininity. (Laurence Brisson Dubreuil/CTV News)

    Not just a new shirt: how a Montreal trans woman embraced her femininity through clothes

    Lisa Cyr, a military veteran and cat café owner, breathes easier after undergoing a groundbreaking surgery to repair her narrowed windpipe.

    Veteran's health transformed by groundbreaking surgery to repair narrowed windpipe

    A man was pricked by a dirty needle while picking up his keys after they fell in a pile of leaves.

    Montreal man pricked by dirty needle picking up his keys

CTV News Montreal | Quebec Referendum