«« Référendum du 30 octobre 1995

'Close Quebec vote must herald change'

The federalist side records a narrow victory in another Quebec referendum.

Canada survives but bitterly divided. This country must change. The two solitudes must be reconciled. After a gut-wrenching campaign, Quebecers have narrowly chosen Confederation. And we remain united from sea to sea.

Yet relieved as federalists feel, there's scant glory in this victory, for so many Quebecers came so close to risking a breakup of the country.

In choosing Canada, barely, the majority has heeded the warnings of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien that a Yes vote would be "a one-way ticket to separation."

They also heard the messages of affection that poured in from the entire nation. When the federalist cause was in trouble in the dying hours of the campaign, it was ordinary Canadians who saved the day. They shouted their love for this country so loudly that Quebecers couldn't help but hear.

Yet as expected, a majority of Quebec francophones voted Yes, expressing frustration with Quebec's exclusion from the 1982 Constitution. Today, their disappointment will be profound.

The Prime Minister can begin to heal wounds by preparing to deliver what he promised during the darkest hours of the campaign. He needs to find a blend of symbolism and administrative agreements to ease Quebecers' continuing discontent, without hamstringing the national government.