The Government of Quebec's priority was not Senate reform. It became an issue for us under the circumstances, of course. We have already stated that our priority was to limit the federal spending power in the jurisdictions of Quebec and the provinces. That is our government's stated position.
The Government of Canada has a comprehensive perspective. It sees the demands of the western provinces and must also deal with the interests of several partners, which is perfectly legitimate. It felt that it should make Senate reform an issue. I do not challenge that choice in and of itself, and I do not even question the motivations behind it. However, this must be done within the established rules, which are of a constitutional nature.
Within that context, we have our own priorities, and the Government of Canada has a pan-Canadian perspective of course. I am well aware of the fact that several provinces are asking for a modernization of the Senate. We are not taking this position to annoy them, but to remind them of the importance of respecting the federal compromise of 1867, of respecting the current Constitution and of respecting the role of the provinces within the Canadian federal system.