As Quebec Premier Jean Charest welcomed the prime minister's surprise declaration that Quebecers form a nation "within a united Canada," reaction trickling in from across the country has ranged from enthusiasm to indifference.

Charest applauded Stephen Harper's announcement and assured Quebecers it was very good news for Canada.

"The country at this point is not ready to reopen a whole new round of constitutional negotiations," he said.

"We believe that [Harper's] statement, his willingness and his invitation to the House of Commons to recognize Quebec as a nation within Canada is good for Quebec and also very good news for all of Canada," Charest said.

Charest urged all MPs, including Bloc Québécois members, to support the motion.

Move politically motivated?

Outside a Montreal Metro station, passersby didn't seem impressed with Harper's resolution.

"He did that? I'm surprised," laughed one woman, who wasn't identified. "I think he just wants some votes from Quebec, that's all."

Another man said the motion doesn't go far enough and could be opening a can of worms.

"I think I would have just let sleeping dogs lie. I wouldn't have been committal at all," he said. "It's a political game, of course, of trying to please both sides. But Quebec is a nation and should deserve to be [its] own country."

Jonathan Valois, intergovernmental affairs critic for the separatist Parti Québécois, said he isn't impressed by the fact that the prime minister put conditions on Quebec nationhood.
 
Valois says Quebec is already a nation, whether it's inside Canada or not.

Manitoba premier opposed

In Western Canada, the reaction was mixed.

"To me Canada is one nation, one country," said Manitoba Premier Gary Doer. "I understand Quebec is unique in terms of language, culture and law, but Canada is one country."

Harper's announcement was big news in the Franco-Manitoban community.

"That's what we've supported all along. We also recognize that Quebec has differences, and that makes them a special part of our country," said Daniel Boucher of the Franco-Manitoban Society.

Alberta Premier Ralph Klein dismissed the announcement as politically motivated, and said he wouldn't worry about it unless it becomes legislation.

Ted Morton, one of the candidates vying to replace Klein, who will step down as premier within days, said he hopes the move will help rebalance federalism.

Morton said Wednesday he hopes Harper's surprise announcement opens the door for "not just side deals for Quebec, but reducing the intrusion of Ottawa in the government of all 10 provinces."

Morton and Harper were part of a group that wrote the 2001 "firewall letter," which advocated limiting Ottawa's influence on Alberta and urged the province to run its own tax, health and pension plan systems.

The prime minister has said some of his views have softened since then.

With files from the Canadian Press