When a Unity Rally almost led to Quebec leaving Canada

It was supposed to keep Canada together but a massive 1995 rally nearly did the opposite.

In 1995, Canada was on the verge of breaking up. The province of Quebec was about to vote on whether to become a sovereign nation. Just days before a referendum on that very question, tens of thousands of Canadians from across the country poured into Montreal. Travelling by planes and trains - they gathered for what would become known as the Unity Rally. Carrying flags, singing the national anthem and declaring their love for Quebec – they pleaded for Quebecers to say “no” they would not leave.

Despite this demonstration – many in the Province viewed the gesture as too little too late. 

30 years later Francis Plourde looks at the legacy of the love-in, and the historic vote and what it says about Canada today.

Storylines is part of the CBC Audio Doc Unit