Clinton Jolts Canadians With a Plea On Federalism In Ottawa, Canadians on both sides of the nation's deep linguistic divide say they were stunned by President Clinton's unexpectedly passionate appeal for national unity and federalism. President Clinton traveled to the point of separatism in North America and without once mentioning Quebec nationalism argued that the United States and Canada are among the most fortunate countries in the world because there's so much diversity. American leaders …showed first 75 words of 242 total…

…showed last 75 words of 242 total…the best of the speech noting that President Clinton had praised the European Union, a relationship they see as a model for future ties between an independent Quebec and English Canada. Separatists also noted that after the speech President Clinton met with Quebec's Premier, Lucien Bouchard, the first such meeting between an American president and the separatist Premier. After President Clinton's visit Canadians were stunned from the unexpected passionate appeal for national unity and federalism.