he internet makes strange web-fellows.
 t'll be the dominant political issue in Canada until well after the turn of the century... will there be another referendum on Quebec independence? If so, will the federalists take a more active role in trying to influence the outcome, after winning the last one in 1995 by less than a percentage point? Will the separatists ever take No for an answer, after losing two referendums in two decades?Here are the two main protagonists and what they (or their political surrogates) have revealed in recent - or particularly significant - statements. |
 Lucien Bouchard Premier of Quebec, leader of the Parti Quebecois. Over the past decade, he's gone from being the Canadian ambassador in Paris, to federal cabinet minister in the former Conservative Mulroney government, to founder and leader of the federal Bloc Quebecois party, to premier. Along the way, some have questioned his real commitment to separatism, but his stated aim is to lead Quebec out of Canada. Question is, how to do convince Quebeckers the move isn't political and economic suicide. |  Jean Chretien The Prime Minister of Canada... member of parliament from Quebec, political survivor and - according to some - political street fighter. He's been dealing with the Quebec issue his whole career, way back to his days as former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's lieutenant. Now, he finds himself in charge, facing off against his arch rival, Lucien Bouchard. Trouble is, Chretien's not very popular in Quebec and - his political opponents would say - not too sure about how to solve the separation dilemma that's stumped so many others. |
