The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge Good Talk -- A Night To Remember
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Oct 17, 2025 The discussion reflects on the emotional intensity of the 1995 Quebec referendum, highlighting how Lucien Bouchard's entry shifted the campaign's momentum. The hosts share their experiences covering the nail-biting live results and analyze the historical and political context that led to the referendum. They explore the ambiguous ballot question and Jacques Parizeau's controversial concession speech. The panel also warns about modern risks like social media misinformation affecting future referendums, emphasizing the need for empathetic federal engagement.
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Campaigns Can Flip Referendum Outcomes
- Campaign dynamics in Quebec can shift rapidly and changed the 1995 outcome despite early leads for one side.
- Chantal Hébert highlights how last-week swings and voter second thoughts overturned earlier polls.
A Reporter’s Gut Feeling On The Night
- Chantal Hébert recounts sitting beside anxious panelists as results came in on radio during the night.
- She had privately felt the wave carrying yes had receded in the final week, so she expected a no result.
Constitutional History Fueled Emotions
- Historical constitutional failures seeded long-term resentment that fueled the 1995 referendum.
- Bruce Anderson links patriation, Meech Lake and Charlottetown to the emotional roots of the vote.
