MONTREAL – Quebec’s national library has released the 1995 English-language videotape recording of the speech then-premier Jacques Parizeau would have given had the Yes side won the sovereignty referendum.
The video was destined for media organizations but never aired due to the No side winning the historic vote on Oct. 30, 1995.
Parizeau, sitting at a desk in front of a single, Fleur-de-lis flag, says Quebec is standing tall and will immediately begin negotiations with Canada for a new economic and political partnership.
WATCH: Quebec sovereignty movement
He said it will take about a year for Quebec’s legislature to officially declare independence and the new country will guarantee freedom of movement and goods between itself and Canada’s provinces.
Parizeau added that Canadians will no longer have to send Quebec transfer payments and will instead receive cheques from the new country to assume its part of Canada’s debt.
The French-language recording was made public in January while Quebec’s national library and archives released the English tape at end of March.