Twenty years ago today, as Canadians anxiously waited to see if the country as they knew it would cease to exist, Bernard Landry was "almost sure" his fellow separatists had won.
Landry, who was Quebec's Parti Quebecois premier from 2001 to 2003, recalled the Oct. 30, 1995 referendum in an interview with Power Play on Friday.
"First we were almost sure that were going to win," he said. "So the hope was enormous."
Landry said he was at home with his family and friends as the results rolled in that night.
In the end, the federalists defeated the 'Yes' side, just as they had in the preceding referendum of 1980. It was a nail-biting, close victory for the federalists -- about 50.5 per cent were in favour of not separating from Canada.
"It was very, very close," said Landry, adding that it was a "sad day" for Quebec.
"We were almost what we should be and what we must be and what we will be some day -- independent."
Landry argues it was also a "sad day" for the rest of the country, as the existence of two separate states would have changed the relationship between English- and French-speaking Canada."
"The new situation of a friendly and successful conversation between two independent states would have been very, very positive," Landry explained.
"It would have been very interesting to create a new form of co-operation between the two nations."
Despite the loss, however, Landry believes Quebec will one day break away from Canada as the appetite for separation is "very strong."
He points to recent polls that suggest support for sovereignty is at about 40 per cent -- "about the same level" during the weeks leading up to the referendum. Six months prior to the 1995 vote, the 'Yes' side was at 39 per cent.
"The movement, the idealism has very strong support by millions of people and it will come someday," he said.
Landry remained leader of the PQ until 2005. He served as leader of the Opposition from 2003 to 2005.
