On Monday, October 30th, 1995 nearly 4.8 million people voted to decided the future of the Canadian province of Québec. A diverse array of voters included French, English, First Nation, Inuit and those from more recent waves of immigration to Québec, each with their own interests, goals and ideas. But, to most, the matter seemed simple; should Québec succeed from Canada and form its own independent nation? But that was not the question, and the outcome was anything but simple. The actual question, in English, read:
Do you agree that Québec should become sovereign after having made a formal offer to Canada for a new economic and political partnership within the scope of the bill respecting the future of Québec and of the agreement signed on June 12th, 1995?
In the days, weeks and months following the 1995 Québec referendum, interested parties in both the Oui and Non camps would interpret the answer to this question in many different ways. Its affects would be felt from sea to sea to sea and would echo across the globe. But that night, the people of Québec and the rest of Canada went to bed knowing that the Oui side had triumphed, with 50.32% of valid votes, and no one knew what to expect when they woke up the next morning.