Questions and results
1980 and 1995 Referenda

         Two referenda on Quebec secession have been held by the Quebec government, on May 20, 1980 and October 30, 1995. Here are the questions asked and the results obtained.

Question asked in the 1980 referendum:

         "The Government of Quebec has made public its proposal to negotiate a new agreement with the rest of Canada, based on the equality of nations; this agreement would enable Quebec to acquire the exclusive power to make its laws, levy its taxes and establish relations abroad - in other words, sovereignty - and at the same time to maintain with Canada an economic association including a common currency; no change in political status resulting from these negotiations will be effected without approval by the people through another referendum; on these terms, do you give the Government of Quebec the mandate to negotiate the proposed agreement between Quebec and Canada?"

Results:         YES: 40.4%; NO: 59.6%

Question asked in the 1995 referendum:

         "Do you agree that Quebec 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 Quebec and of the agreement signed on June 12, 1995?"

Results:         YES: 49.4%; NO: 50.6%