LIBRARY RELEASES ENGLISH VERSION OF 1995 ‘YES’ WIN SPEECH

Quebec’s national library has released the 1995 English-language videotape recording of the speech then-premier Jacques Parizeau would have given had the Yes side won the sovereignty referendum. The video was destined for media organizations but never aired due to the No side winning the vote on Oct. 30, 1995. Parizeau, sitting at a desk in front of a single, Fleur-delis flag, says Quebec is standing tall and will immediately begin negotiations with Canada for a new economic and political partnership. He says it will take about a year for Quebec’s legislature to officially declare independence. Parizeau adds that Canadians will no longer have to send Quebec transfer payments and will instead receive cheques from the new country to assume its part of Canada’s debt.