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Article: Robert Bourassa.(former Quebec premier)(Obituary)
- Article from:
- The Economist (US)
- Article date:
- October 12, 1996
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1996 Economist Newspaper Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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DURING one of Canada's constitutional crises, Robert Bourassa was asked by a journalist to answer a question, yes or no. Mr Bourassa replied, "Mais Normand, you know me better than that."
Mr Bourassa's reluctance to commit himself publicly was seen by some as a useful quality in a politician, allowing him to be all things to all people. But in Quebec, where he was premier for two periods totalling 15 years, his indecisiveness was not always appreciated. Numerous jokes were made about Mr Bourassa's vacillations. How might the Boo, as he was known, die of thirst? Give him two glasses of milk and make him decide which one he wanted.
The French-speakers of Quebec, ...