There are reports organizers of the planned summer re-enactment of the 1759 battle on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City have decided against going ahead with the event because of the potential for violent conflict between federalists and sovereignists.
According to the "Journal de Quebec", sources involved in making the decision said the event has been cancelled, due to strong opposition and a series of serious threats from extremists. The newspaper said organizers did not want to put people's "lives or physical integrity" in danger.
250th anniversary
The re-enactment, which was set to unfold Aug.1, would mark the 250th anniversary of British forces defeating French troops.
Andr� Juneau, chairman of the National Battlefields Commission, will explain on Tuesday how the anniversary of the battle will be commemorated. Juneau refused to confirm the reports, saying only that the program of activities will be "modified".
Both the Bloc Quebecois and the Parti Quebecois had called for the cancellation of the re-enactment, while Premier Jean Charest said he would not attend the event.
In response to the controversy, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Friday Quebecers and Canadians have moved past the historical battle and want to work together, despite what the Bloc Quebecois says.
With files from The Canadian Press
