CANADIANS STRIKE DEAL ON UNITY

Canada's political leaders struck a deal with French-speaking Quebec on Saturday on far-reaching constitutional changes aimed at keeping the country united.

The accord will overhaul the Canadian confederation by reforming Parliament and sharing federal powers with the 10 provinces in a move to meet Quebec's demands for more autonomy. The deal also grants self-rule to Canada's 750,000 native peoples.

Quebec won a guarantee of 25 percent of the seats in Canada's House of Commons and obtained constitutional recognition as a distinct society within Canada.

Prime Minister Brian Mulroney is expected to call a national referendum on the reform package ahead of a vote scheduled in Quebec in late October.