12 3 An Exceptional Situation 4 Prime Minister Jean Chretien 5 Televised Speech, 25 October 1995 6 7 For the first time in my mandate as prime minister, 8 I have asked to speak directly to Canadian tonight. I do 9 so because we are in an exceptional situation. 10 Tonight, in particular, I want to speak to my fellow 11 Quebeckers. Because at this moment the future of our 12 whole country is in their hands. 13 But I also want to speak to all Canadians. Because 14 this issue concerns them deeply. It is not only the 15 future of Quebec that will be decided on Monday [30 16 October 1995]. It is the future of all Canada. The 17 decision that will be made is serious and irreversible. 18 With deep, deep consequences. 19 What is at stake is our country. What is at stake is 20 our heritage. To break up Canada or build Canada. To 21 remain Canadian or no longer be Canadian. To stay or to 22 leave. This is the issue of the referendum. 23 When my fellow Quebeckers make their choice on 24 Monday, they have the responsibility and the duty to 25 understand the implications of that choice. 26 The fact is, that hidden behind a murky question is 27 a very clear option. It is the separation of Quebec. A 28 Quebec that would no longer be part of Canada. Where 29 Quebeckers would no longer enjoy the rights and 30 privileges associated with Canadian citizenship. Where 31 Quebeckers would no longer share a Canadian passport or a 32 Canadian dollar -- no matter what the advocates of 33 separatism may claim. 34 Where Quebeckers would be made foreigners in their 35 own country. 36 I know that many Quebeckers, in all good faith, are 37 thinking of voting Yes in order to bring change to 38 Canada. I am telling them that if they wish to remain 39 Canadian, they are taking a very dangerous gamble. Anyone 40 who really wants to remain a Canadian should think twice 41 before taking such a dangerous risk. Listen to the 42 leaders of the separatist side. They are very clear. The 43 country they want is not a better Canada, it is a 44 separate Quebec. Don't be fooled. 45 There are also those Quebeckers who are thinking of 46 voting Yes to give Quebec a better bargaining position to 47 negotiate an economic and political partnership with the 48 rest of Canada. Again, don't be fooled. A Yes vote means 49 the destruction of the political and economic union we 50 already enjoy. Nothing more. 51 Through the ... campaign, I have listened to my 52 fellow Quebeckers and heard them say how deeply attached 53 they are to Canada. I have listened -- and I understand - 54 - that they have been hurt and disappointed in the past. 55 I have also heard the voices for change that are ecvhoing 56 throughout Quebec and across Canada. Our country is 57 changing. And we all know it. I ask you to remember all 58 that this government has done over the last two years to 59 help create change -- positive change. 60 The end of Canada would be nothing less than the end 61 of a dream. The end of a country that has made us the 62 envy of the world. Canada is not just any country. It is 63 unique. It is the best country in the world. 64 Perhaps it is something we have come to take for 65 granted. But we should never, never let that happen. Once 66 more, today it's up to each of us to restate our love for 67 Canada. To say we don't want to lose it. 68 What we have built together in Canada is something 69 very great and very noble. A country whose values of 70 tolerance, understanding, generosity have made us what we 71 are: a society where our number one priority is the 72 respect and dignity of all our citizens. 73 Other countries invest in weapons, we invest in the 74 well-being of our citizens. Other countries tolerate 75 poverty and despair, we work hard to ensure a basic level 76 of decency for everyone. Other countries resort to 77 violence to settle differences, we work out our problems 78 through compromise and mutual respect. 79 This is what we have accomplished. 80 And I say to my fellow Quebeckers don't let anyone 81 diminish or take away what we have accomplished. Don't 82 let anyone tell you that you can not be a proud Quebecer 83 and a proud Canadian. 84 It is true Canada is not perfect. But I can not 85 think of a single place in the world that comes closer. 86 Not a single place where people lead better lives. Where 87 they live in greater peace and security. 88 Why does Canada work? Because our country has always 89 been able to adapt and change to meet the hopes and 90 aspirations of our citizens. We've done so in the past. 91 We're doing so today. And we will continue to do so in 92 the future. 93 And I repeat tonight what I said yesterday in Verdun 94 [24 October 1995]. We must recognize that Quebec's 95 language, its culture and institutions make it a distinct 96 society. And no constitutional change that affects the 97 powers of Quebec should ever be made without the consent 98 of Quebeckers. 99 And that all governments -- federal and provincial - 100 - must respond to the desire of Canadians -- everywhere - 101 - for greater decentralization. 102 And all that can happen quietly, calmly, without 103 rupture -- with determination. 104 To all Canadians outside Quebec, I say do not lose 105 faith in this country. And continue to show the respect, 106 the openness, the attachment and the friendship you have 107 shown to your fellow Canadians in Quebec all through the 108 referendum campaign. 109 Continue to tell them how important they are to you. 110 And how without them, Canada would no longer be Canada; 111 how you want them to remain Canadian and you hope, deeply 112 and profoundly, that they choose Canada on Monday. 113 In recent days, thousands of Canadians have taken 114 the time to send messages of friendship and attachment to 115 Quebeckers. Keep them coming. 116 My friends, once again, our country is facing a 117 crisis. And crisis and uncertainty exact a very heavy 118 cost. We all pay a high price for political instability. 119 On Monday, once Quebeckers have shown their 120 commitment to Canada, I want to ask Canadian investors 121 and foreign investors to show their commitment and 122 confidence in return. 123 Together, we will need to get our priorities back on 124 track. On economic growth and jobs. And the time is long 125 overdue. 126 My friends, we are facing a decisive moment in the 127 history of our country. 128 And people all across Canada know that decision lies 129 in the hands of their fellow Canadians in Quebec. 130 As a proud Quebecer and a proud Canadian, I am 131 convinced that a strong Quebec in a united Canada remains 132 the best solution for all of us. I ask those Quebeckers 133 who have not yet made their decision to ask themselves 134 these questions when they vote on Monday: 135 Do you really think that you and your family would 136 have a better quality of life and a brighter future in a 137 separate Quebec? 138 Do you really think that the French language and 139 culture in North America would be better protected in a 140 separate Quebec? 141 Do you really think you and your family will enjoy 142 greater security in a separate Quebec? 143 Do you really want to turn your back on Canada? Does 144 Canada deserve that? 145 Are you ready to tell the world -- the whole world - 146 - that people of different languages, different cultures 147 and different backgrounds can not live together in 148 harmony? 149 Do you really think that ties of friendship and 150 understanding --- ties of mutual trust and respect can be 151 broken without harm or rancor? 152 Have you found one reason, one good reason, to 153 destroy Canada? 154 Do you really think it is worth abandoning the 155 country we have built, and which our ancestors have left 156 us? 157 Do you really think it makes any sense -- any sense 158 at all -- to break up Canada? 159 These are the questions I ask each of you to 160 consider. It's a big, very big responsibility. 161 In a few days, all the shouting will be over. You 162 will be alone to make your decision. At that moment I 163 urge you, my fellow Quebeckers, to listen to your heart - 164 - and to your head. 165 I am confident that Quebec and Canada will emerge 166 strong and united. 167 168 October 1995