Canada deal under threat

Ottawa (Reuter) - Opposition to a national unity deal to keep Quebec in Canada has grown rapidly since it was struck a month ago, and the accord could be defeated in an 26 October referendum, an opinion poll showed.

The Angus Reid poll said support for the constitutional reforms had slid to 42 per cent of Canadians from 58 per cent at the end of August. Opponents of the deal outstripped supporters in Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia provinces, rising nationwide to 41 per cent from 25 per cent.

The reforms give Quebec guarantees that its culture and share of political power will be preserved, while giving Western Canada equal representation in an elected senate.