He retains a nationalist message, even while opposing another referendum, an ambiguity many Quebec voters share.

With an 84-per-cent voter turnout, 60 per cent of Quebec voters rejected the proposal.

"It was carefully organized by the No camp with the goal of influencing Quebec voters."

Nonetheless, 72.9 per cent of Quebec voters were opposed.

On 2 May 2006, a poll revealed that for the first time, the Conservatives were ahead of the Bloc among Quebec voters (34% against 31%).

Quebec voters are a famously tolerant lot.

But with Quebec voters exhausted, the separatists are not expected to try again for several years.

In 1995, during a referendum on Quebec sovereignty, Quebec voters narrowly reject the vote for independence.

Since the rise of the sovereignty movement, this option seems to gather a solid 40% of support among Quebec voters.

Since the 1980s, this option seems to gather, from one survey to the next a solid 40% of support among Quebec voters.