New row as people of Quebec recognised as a nation

Parliament formally recognised the French-speaking people of Quebec as a nation within Canada early today, in a move that has led to a Cabinet resignation and ignited concerns over a renewed push for the province’s sovereignty.

The motion presented by Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper yesterday, which says Quebecois form a nation within a united Canada, is largely symbolic in that it requires no constitutional amendment or change of law. The opposition Liberals and New Democrats supported the motion, so it passed easily through the House of Commons.