OTTAWA -- Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says Canada welcomes the results of Scotland's referendum in which voters chose to remain in the United Kingdom.
The vote on Thursday -- 55 per cent against independence to 45 per cent in favour -- prevented a rupture of a 307-year union with England.
In a statement posted on the Dept. of Foreign Affairs website, Baird said the Scottish people "voted to remain within a strong United Kingdom."
Baird also said the "peaceful, open and democratic way in which two very different but sincere views was handled is a credit to the Scottish and U.K. governments."
He added that Canada and the U.K. share deep historical bonds and the federal government looks forward to this friendship continuing well into the future.
The Scottish vote saw an unprecedented turnout of just under 85 per cent.
