"...and how did such a large majority favour it?

Easy, it looked like an easy way out.

Doesn't say much for our representatives, does it."

What do you expect them to do - solve the national unity conundrum? If so, how do you expect them to do that? None of our greatest parliamentarians have been able to do it yet; what would make you think that this bunch of whom you are so contemptuous could do the job? Do you want them to stop all other business of Parliament and tear the country apart with a serious debate on the issue? Should they hold a constitutional conference and hash it all out? We've seen in the past how productive that approach is ...

There's been an awful lot of criticism of Harper over this issue, but I have yet to hear anyone come up with a plausible alternative way of dealing with the situation he and his party and the country were in (sending the army into Quebec does not fall into the "plausible alternative" category"). I certainly haven't read any plausible alternative on this thread. I wish someone would come up with one; I really hate defending Harper, but as I said earlier on, I will give him credit when its due.