Mr. Speaker, the Journée nationale des Patriotes was celebrated yesterday in Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu. This day was set aside to honour the memory of Quebec's patriots. This year is particularly significant because it marks the 160th anniversary of the events of 1837 and the 10th anniversary of the death of one of our greatest patriots, the late René Lévesque.
On October 30, 1995, nearly 94% of Quebeckers made their wishes known democratically on their collective future. However, for our precious democratic heritage that allows us to hold this basic exercise of consultation in an atmosphere of calm, civility and mutual respect, we must thank the patriots of a century ago.
We must put to good use their gift to us and the sacrifices they made so that today we might enjoy the individual and political freedoms so dear to us and the democratic and responsible institutions of which we are so proud.
We know that the noble mission of the patriots remains unfulfilled, but the people of Quebec following in their footsteps have resolutely chosen the road to sovereignty.