Network: CBC Television Network
Broadcast Run: 1980
Broadcast Medium: Television
Aired Thursday nights from January 17 to December 13, 1980.
This half-hour public affairs program, origjnally just called Decision, was produced in Montreal. It was specifically designed to be a regular political discussion on the subject of potential Quebec independence. In 1976, the Parti Quebecois, led by Rene Levesque, waselected to form the provincial government. Part of their mandate included a vote on the province achieving political sovereignty from the rest of Canada. This show was produced locally in anticipation of the vote in 1976 and picked up by the network in the months leading up to the referendum in May 1980.
The program was hosted by Ian MacDonald, writer for the Montreal
Gazette, who introduced the topic for each show, which was moderated by Stanley
Hartt. The debate usually took place with people active in the process
rather than political pundits. Once the vote was held, with a negative
result, the series wasn’t renewed.
Written by John Corcelli – November, 2005