A key player in Canada's constitutional wars of the 1990's now says Quebec should sign the constitution, forget separation and build bridges with the other provinces.

Jean Allaire was a symbol for nationalists when he quit the Quebec Liberal Party in 1990.

At the time, he demanded 22 powers to sign the constitution.

He went on to found the Action Democratique du Quebec and advocated independence.

Allaire now says Quebec only needs five powers, including recognition as a nation in the constitution and full power over areas involving language.