She is the one that needs speaking to.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1993, with 76% of the vote.
The Referendum November 2nd, 1995
She is the one that needs speaking to.
The Referendum November 2nd, 1995
You have changed it.
The Referendum November 2nd, 1995
Thank you so much.
The Referendum November 2nd, 1995
Such generosity.
The Referendum November 2nd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, all sovereignist Quebecers who voted Yes, 49.4 per cent, are still paying taxes to Ottawa and observing federal laws because they acknowledge the fact that democracy in Quebec has spoken. I said it before and I say it again: We are democrats first and foremost, and the first duty of democrats and citizens is to respect a democratic vote like the one held Monday in Quebec.
That being said, we should also realize that the people are masters of their right to vote and that if some day the people of Quebec decide to have another referendum, they can do that. We just had a reference to what was said by the Minister of Justice, who was merely referring to the Quebec law that provides that, in order to have another referendum, there must first be an election. And eventually we will have an election in Quebec, since we are a democracy and elections are part of being a democracy.
People will always be able to vote in Quebec. That does not seem to be the case in Canada.
Will the Deputy Prime Minister admit that the federal government is now resorting to such undemocratic measures as banning a vote, simply because it is afraid that a future referendum will make Quebec a sovereign country?
The Referendum November 2nd, 1995
Except that he wants to take that right away from them, Mr. Speaker.
The same rights, meaning that no one will be able to vote.
Mr. Speaker, living in a democracy is clearly getting to the Prime Minister.
Are we to understand that from now on, instead of rejecting the results of the referendum, as he was about to do if the yes side had won, the leader of the federal government will prevent any future referendums? By even considering such extreme positions, is this gentleman not demonstrating the depth of his despair and his utter inability to overcome his inertia?
The Referendum November 2nd, 1995
Mr. Speaker, in a speech he made last night in Toronto, the Prime Minister made a new contribution to Canadian democracy. First, he confided it was frustrating to see Quebecers vote in a referendum on their sovereignty and thus undermine Canada's political stability. In concluding his speech, he made it clear that he would intervene to prevent any more votes of this kind.
My question is directed to the Deputy Prime Minister. Would she oblige by telling us what the federal government intends to do to prevent democracy in Quebec from voting in accordance with its own laws?
Distinct Society November 1st, 1995
Everyone knows it is not true.
Distinct Society November 1st, 1995
That is not true.
The Referendum November 1st, 1995
Mr. Speaker, for people who are fed up, a 94 per cent turnout in a popular vote is not bad.
After Monday's vote, the Canadian federal system is enjoying a respite, the result of a few tenths of points of popular vote. In this context, does the Prime Minister not see that the only realistic solution for Quebec and Canada is a new partnership negotiated between equals following the next Quebec referendum, which will follow inexorably?