MONTREAL, May 9 (UPI) -- The Quebec separatist movement "is still an option" despite a loss in a national election, Canada's outgoing foreign affairs minister said.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon, who lost his Quebec district of Pontiac in last week's national election, said Monday any decision by Prime Minister Stephen Harper must take into account the impact it will have on Quebec and Canadian unity, Postmedia News reported.
Cannon lost his seat to New Democratic Party candidate Mathieu Ravignat by 8,000 votes.
The Bloc Quebecois was reduced to four members of Parliament from 47 and questions were raised concerning the sustainability of Quebec's separatist movement.
"I would not want anybody in the rest of Canada to think that for one instant that is over and done with. It is still an option," Cannon said, adding Harper's main responsibility is maintaining Canadian unity. "That is the most important task I believe the prime minister has to play, and I think we must remain conscious of that."
