Article content

Speaking in Quebec on Tuesday, Liberal leadership candidate Justin Trudeau declared that “at least” two thirds of Quebecers would need to approve of secession before the federal government would be obliged to take notice.

“If we are going to change the Canadian constitution and the state of our country so profoundly, it should at least require the same level as that required to change the constitution of the New Democratic Party, which is two-thirds” said Mr. Trudeau as quoted in French by La Presse.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Separatist vote needs support from 'at least' two thirds of Quebecers, Trudeau says Back to video

The statement, made before a crowd of about 100 students at McGill University, was a jab at NDP leader Thomas Mulcair, whose party recently tabled a private member’s bill to amend the Clarity Act, a Chretien-era piece of legislation mandating that a clear majority of Quebecers need to approve of secession before the federal government is obligated to set out terms.

Drafted by Toronto MP Craig Scott, the bill — which has almost no chance of passage — mandates that secession negotiations be initiated in the case of a 50% plus one majority.