Canada talks back on track

Ottawa (Reuter) - A plan to guarantee Quebec a quarter of the seats in Canada's parliament appeared to break a deadlock yesterday in constitutional negotiations aimed at resolving a separatist threat.

The plan raised hopes for an agreement before Quebec's referendum in October that could lead to the break-up of the country. Western provinces want an upper house modelled on the US Senate with equal representation for all 10 provinces. Quebec would be recognised as a distinct society within Canada.