Republic of Quebec (QC-95)

Independence
On October 30, 1995 at 11pm, Radio Canada was the first to announce the victory for the yes side with 50.82% of the votes. 49.18% voted no. Quebec Premier Jacques Parizeau made his victory speech and promised "independence within the year 1995". On November 1, 1995, the National Assembly convened and passed the Sovereignty Bill. However, negotiations over issues such as public services, borders, MPs, finances, politics continued between Quebec and Canada. The larger Canadian state tried to stop Quebec from seceding by stalling the negotiations, but in the end it could do nothing. Finally, on November 24, 1995, the MPs for Quebec left the House of Commons for the last time.

The next day, Quebec became an independent nation and promptly left the Commonwealth. Quebec was only ever partially recognized by the international community - France led the pro-recognition camp, while the UK led the anti-recognition contingent. In response, Canada cuts its relations with France and the UK refers the now out-of-control crisis to the UN Security Council for resolution, which was deadlocked and ended up doing nothing.

Canada promptly proceeded to get rid of French as a second language and of the Prime Minister Chretien, not before ensuring that no federal civil servants - regardless of location or affiliation - made claims for citizenship of the new state. The government then immediately began federal debt negotions with Quebec.

1995 Elections
As soon as Quebec became an independent nation, Jacques Parizeau formed a Constitutional Council to write a constitution, that was presented to the National Assembly in early December and approved. As per the constitution (and the wishes of Parizeau), a snap election for the Assembly and the Presidency was held. Parizeau and the Parti Quebecois won a large victory over Daniel Johnson's Liberals, and increased its seats in the National Assembly.

President Parizeau
As President, Parizeau's first task was to tie diplomatic links with foreign country and buy Quebec treasury bonds and state funded enterprises shares with the reserve he created before. Then he proceeded to write a constitution. The constitution had laid the framework for an independent republic, but needed to decide, along with Canada, the outcome of federally-owned infrastructures. Canadian forces in Quebec were evacuated within early 1996 and Canada and Quebec signed a Partnership Agreement on March 30, 1996. Parizeau saluted the willingness of the Canadian government, led by Prime Minister David Michael Collenette to work with Quebec. In early 1997, Quebec joined NAFTA and the Organization of American States (OAS). However, problems developed over the failure of the Quebec government to create a stable economy and cost Parizeau much support. By 1999, as the second Presidential election was around the corner, Parizeau announced to the general surprise that he would not seek another term as President.

In June, 1996 Jean Chretien resigned as Prime Minister, following a successful Liberal leadership challenge. The party then elected an Albertan to lead it into the next federal election.

In 1997, the government invited newly-elected French president Jacques Chirac to come to Quebec. The visit was the biggest event the country had seen in more than a decade, with Chirac being greeted like a rock star everywhere he went. As a way of thumbing its nose at Canada, the government staged a re-enactment of Charles de Gaulle's notorious "Vive le Quebec libre!" speech on its 40th anniversary, with Chirac taking de Gaulle's place.

Quebecois presidential election, 1999