Bill Aims to Head Off Breakup of Canada
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OTTAWA — Canada’s Conservative government proposed legislation Friday that would allow it to hold a national referendum on political reforms aimed at avoiding the breakup of the country.
“This bill is a precautionary measure that enables the federal government to hold a referendum if it is required,” the Conservative leader in the House of Commons, Harvie Andre, said.
The vote is meant to ratify constitutional reforms now being negotiated by Canada’s nine English-speaking provinces to keep French-speaking Quebec from declaring independence.
The non-binding plebiscite is expected to be held late this summer before Quebec holds its own vote by Oct. 26.
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