We haven't started off on a very positive note. I've been a member of this committee since 2000. As I said earlier, I look upon this committee as a quasi apolitical body, one that is less partisan than other committees.
I have considerable respect for my colleague Mr. Hill, because we've worked together a great deal. However, I have to say that seeds of discord were sown by Mr. Reid when he quoted from the Charter of Rights and Freedoms at the beginning of his comments. There is not a single person here who does not respect the Charter.
How odd and how ironic is it that a separatist finds himself in the position of defending the application of the Official Languages Act in Canada. You must find this very strange indeed. We want out of Canada, and here I am defending the use of two official languages.
Mr. Hill mentioned the witness from Whitehorse. If that individual arrives here with a document that he is unable to table in both official languages, then he'll make an oral presentation, rather than circulate his document. The same will hold true for a witness from Forestville on the North Shore. This community in my riding is 99.9 per cent francophone. If that witness arrives with a unilingual French document, then he'll hold on to it and make his presentation in his preferred language, as the Charter entitles him to do.
We'd best settle this matter right now. Why is Mr. Reid citing Charter provisions? We're operating on the assumption that the committee respects the provisions of the Charter. Freedom of expression is a right that we have no desire to limit.
We're saying to witnesses that if they wish to table their documents, these must be in both official languages. If a witness has not arranged to have a document translated, for example, because he was not able to find a translator in Whitehorse or in Forestville, the community in my riding, then the witness will not be allowed to distribute that document.
Enough already with citing Charter provisions. I'm a lawyer and I enjoy legal quibbling. I enjoy citing decisions of the Queen's Privy Council. However, I have to say that we're going nowhere fast. We've gotten off on the wrong foot. When he was seated on the other side, Mr. Reid was particularly skilled in getting on our nerves by making such comments.
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Reid is entitled to his own opinions. However, we are also entitled to block this committee's work. I'm not making threats. I'm only saying that we need to get off on the right foot. Easy does it, as we say back home. Let's take a few deep breaths and calm down, starting with yours truly.
I just think we really started off on the wrong foot.