CANADA: PRO-UNITY RALLY: UPDATE

English/Nat
Thousands of Canadians continue to pour into Montreal in a last ditch effort to prevent the secession of Quebec.
Police expect up to 150-thousand people for the demonstration which federalists hope will sway Monday's referendum, which is so far too close to call..
There are now only three days before the vote that could split the country in two.
In the Quebec capital of Montreal, 150-thousand Canadians hoping to stop the separatist momentum have gathered.
"Yes" campaigners are crying foul. They've accused Canadian Airlines of slashing ticket prices to encourage federalists to attend the rally.
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien rallied "No" supporters with a message of unity.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I would like to say thank you all of you who have come in plane, in trains, in buses in cars, come from British Colombia, from Alberta, from Sac and Manitoba from New Foundland and Nova Scotia, from New Brunswick and Ontario our neighbours. And I tell all those who have come from all parts of Canada that we will do all what is needed, we will make the changes that are needed. We will do what is needed so that in the next century Canada will move into the 21st century united from sea to sea. proud of its two languages
SUPERCAPTION: Jean Chretien, Canadian Prime Minister
The latest poll has 46 percent of voters wanting to secede, with 40 percent against and a vital 14 percent still undecided.
Fears of economic collapse have given many Quebeqois pause for thought.
SOUNDBITE:
Q: Why are you here?
A: To try and help keep this country together.
Q: Do you think it will work?
A: I hope so.
SUPERCAPTION: VOX POP
SOUNDBITE:
"I'm hear to just promote being part of Canada. I would certainly hope that it would make a difference. It's certainly very important to everybody in the rest of country and I am certainly glad to see everyone here and I think it's going to make a big difference.
SUPERCAPTION: VOX POP
SOUNDBITE:
I just love Quebec , we spent a lot of time during the first couple of years we were here and we just love the people we love the joie de vivre, my children speak French in Ontario. Also we live in Ottawa and I really want to maintain that French without going outside Canada.
SUPERCAPTION: VOX POP
SOUNDBITE:
I'm a Canadian citizen and that's why I'm here.
SUPERCAPTION: VOX POP
SOUNDBITE:
We want Quebec to stay with Canada.
SUPERCAPTION: VOX POP
SOUNDBITE:
I'm proud of my country and I want us to stay together.
SUPERCAPTION: VOX POP
A separatist victory Monday would not trigger immediate independence for Quebec.
Instead a year long negotiation would be held on a new economic contract with Canada, a contract which may lead to eventual divorce.
You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

[@panzers9484]

Québec libre

[@megaprojectsanddevelopments]

What an extraordinary moment for Canada! Long life to my beloved and extraordinary country! I cried a lot when I saw this the first time.

[@gl4989]

Dude shut the fuck up

[@leocadieux6781]

A highly disgusting event. One of the most shameful, odious and pathetic acts of Canada towards Québec. In honor of this event, Place du Canada should be renamed Place des hypocrites.

[@Touhou-forever]

As a Irish person Jean Chrétien is my favourite Canadian Prime Minster because he was for unity not division now he wasn't perfect but that's okay because at the end of the day we all have flaws that's what makes us human.

[@leocadieux6781]

Do you wish Ireland was still part of the UK today?

[@Touhou-forever]

@@leocadieux6781 I mean some Irish people do as for myself I don't think that it would be good since the UK is tearing itself apart at the moment

[@leocadieux6781]

@@Touhou-forever Independence is good for the Irish people but not enough for the Québécois people? Interesting…

[@Touhou-forever]

@@leocadieux6781 Look I'm not saying that Quebec shouldn't be a independent country I one of my biggest concern for Quebec is that it comes a independent country won't be recognised as a country by the majority of countries in the world

[@Shred130]

Just beautiful

[@megaprojectsanddevelopments]

Me too! 🇨🇦

[@leocadieux6781]

Shred130 It’s disgusting. This event was an invasion full of hypocrites.

[@cameronburke8002]

@@leocadieux6781 Quebec would not have survived long on it's own. You should count yourself lucky Quebec didn't leave.

[@leocadieux6781]

cameron burke What are you basing yourself on to assert this? Oh yes, you are only repeating what every anglophone say about Québec.

[@cameronburke8002]

@@leocadieux6781 it's quite obvious. You have no access to decent ports besides Canada or the United States, neither of which would trade with Quebec. Quebec relies on the Equalisation fund from Canada. Without it, Quebec has a choice to cut it's excellent Welfare System or go broke. Businesses would pack up swiftly and move to Ontario, most are doing this now already. There would be an increase in unemployment, combined with a required increase in taxes to sustain a failing economy.

[@alexvaliquette1652]

Québec libre

[@saythetruth1084]

The smaller you are the weaker you are in the world!!! Wake up .... why there is EU , China , usa , India