Lucienne Robillard

[Referendum Campaign, October 25th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I think the words of the Canada's principal leaders are once again being twisted.

What a number of premiers said is that they recognize the principle of a distinct society for Quebec, but wonder whether it was a priority here in Canada at the moment to sit down and change the country's constitution.

This is what the premiers of the other provinces said. Quebecers are saying exactly the same thing. When asked what the priority should be for their provincial government, how do they respond? Over 80 per cent say it should be the economy, employment, health services or education. Only 8 per cent mention Quebec's political status. So, if we are going to respond to the priorities expressed by our fellow citizens, we must look to the problems before us first and foremost. This is what the premiers confirmed in the other provinces.

[Referendum Campaign, October 25th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, it is very clear that after this referendum, in which we hope with all of our hearts that this country will remain united, the premier of Quebec will still be Mr. Parizeau. Since Mr. Parizeau's sole dream and sole obsession has always been to create a separate country, it would perhaps be a little surprising if he were to sit down at a constitutional conference table. May I express the hope that the premier of Quebec will bow to the democratic vote of Quebecers?

[Referendum Campaign, October 25th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, what the Prime Minister said yesterday, very clearly, is that any changes in constitutional jurisdictions will only be made with the consent of Quebecers. It seems to me that, as a statement of position by the government, this is very clear.

[Referendum Campaign, October 25th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, it is such a surprise to see the Bloc Quebecois anxious to defend the concept of distinct society, while their present leader, the leader of the Yes side, Mr. Parizeau, says he does not want to hear about distinct society; he says to hell with distinct society. He is just not interested. He is interested in destroying Canada, to make a new country. That is the big difference between the Prime Minister of Canada and the Premier of Quebec.

We want to keep this country called Canada, and we want to remain proud and distinct in Quebec.

[Referendum Campaign, October 25th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, it is quite simple. I will repeat in this House what the Prime Minister had to say about the meaning of distinct society.

"A Quebec recognized in Canada as a distinct society by virtue of its language, culture and institutions. I have said it before and I say it again: I agree", the Prime Minister said.

Does the Bloc Quebecois agree with a distinct society?

[Referendum Campaign, October 25th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the present Prime Minister of Canada is very aware of the whole constitutional history of this country. He is also well aware of what has happened in Quebec. He understands very well, too, the disappointment some Quebecers may have felt at certain points in the history of this country. For the past two years, however, this Prime Minister has been leading this country; let us look at what he has done in those two years to respond to the needs of all Canadians, to respond to their concerns, their needs.

When the Prime Minister of Canada speaks, I feel that we can judge him very well by the actions he has undertaken in the past two years as the Prime Minister of this country. He did not govern by "referendum" for the past two years; he has acted, and he has governed this country.

[Referendum Campaign, October 25th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I think this is evidence of a lack of desire to properly understand what the Prime Minister of Canada said yesterday. The Prime Minister of Canada was very clear about the distinct society and said that he accepted it.

He was very clear in stating that the constitutional changes affecting Quebec will be made after consultation with Quebecers. He was very clear in stating that this country is undergoing a very great transformation in preparation for the 21st century and that it

was his heartfelt wish that Quebecers participate fully in these changes for the 21st century. That was the Prime Minister's message.

[Referendum Campaign, October 25th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, oddly enough, in this referendum campaign, the three leaders who want the break up of this country had to sign an agreement among themselves. It is the only written agreement in this referendum campaign. On the other side, we have Quebecers who do not want the break up of this country, and to share the same goal, we do not need an agreement in writing.

If there is anyone today who could not care less about the distinct society concept that we as Quebecers support, it is the leader of the Yes side who said in no uncertain terms: "To hell with a distinct society. We want a country". That is what the choice is about on October 30. It is about the break up of Canada as we know it today, and that is why it is such a serious matter.

[Referendum Campaign, October 25th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, unlike the hon. member for Roberval, the Prime Minister of Canada is aware of the gravity of the situation and does not take the destruction of this country lightly.

This country is not just any country. It is the best country in the world. And the Prime Minister of Canada has always been a proud francophone, a proud Quebecer and a proud Canadian. In this, he is like the majority of Quebecers who are proud to be Quebecers but are also attached to their country, Canada. That is where the Bloc Quebecois is wrong.

[Referendum Campaign, October 25th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Prime Minister of Canada explained his point of view to all those who believe in the No side, saying how serious the situation and the choice made on October 30 were for the future of our country, and that this was a choice Quebecers had never had to make before in their entire history, because just one vote would mean the break up of Canada.

So the Prime Minister urged all Quebecers to think carefully before they voted, to think carefully about what Canada is today, what Quebecers are today, before they go and vote. That was basically the Prime Minister's message last night.