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Canada welcomes Scottish result: Baird

'Better Together' supporters celebrate the result of the Scottish referendum on independence at the count centre for the Scottish referendum at Ingleston Hall on September 19, 2014 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The majority of Scottish people have today voted “No” in the referendum and Scotland will remain within the historic union of countries that make up the United Kingdom. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images). Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

OTTAWA – Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says Canada welcomes the results of Scotland’s referendum in which voters chose to remain in the United Kingdom.

The vote on Thursday – 55 per cent against independence to 45 per cent in favour – prevented a rupture of a 307-year union with England.

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In a statement posted on the Dept. of Foreign Affairs website, Baird said the Scottish people “voted to remain within a strong United Kingdom.”

Baird also said the “peaceful, open and democratic way in which two very different but sincere views was handled is a credit to the Scottish and U.K. governments.”

He added that Canada and the U.K. share deep historical bonds and the federal government looks forward to this friendship continuing well into the future.

The Scottish vote saw an unprecedented turnout of just under 85 per cent.

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