Good afternoon, minister.
A philosopher by the name of Valéry said that a government's greatness is measured by the way it treats its minorities and the value it places on knowledge. You understand that your government will go down in history with this issue.
With all due respect, there are no words to describe the degree to which your government's policies toward minorities—particularly Francophone minorities outside Quebec—disgust, repel and nauseate me. I can't imagine how a government can abolish the one and only program that would enable communities to appeal to the courts, and I hope, when you travel to meet with the spokespersons of the Francophone communities, that they'll tell you how mean and short-sighted your government is. Let's hope that you pay a very high cost for eliminating this capability for defending the Francophone communities.
That said, I want to talk about reforming the commission you're abolishing. I find your logic quite peculiar. Is there anyone in the federal public service who can prepare reports? We don't doubt that. This is definitely a point of view that we can receive. The specific characteristic of the commission is, first of all, its total independence. When it comes to orientations and public servants are involved—whether they be deputy ministers or any branch of a department—an organization loses some of its independence. You'll agree with that.
Furthermore, what surprises me in your argument is that UNESCO has reminded us that knowledge and events that occur in the world double every five years. It also recalled how important it is for parliamentarians to make decisions in an environment in which we have access to decisive and conclusive information.
What is your criticism of the commission? How can you prove to us this afternoon that there was really a duplication? I was very pleased to read what the commission wrote on same-sex spouses, Aboriginal persons and on voting reform and electoral life. We feel that the body of opinions it has produced generally falls within the debates on current issues for which we expect parliamentarians to have information.
Are we to understand that, for you as a parliamentarian, that the issue of having timely knowledge and available information from an independent organization is not important?
I'll conclude by telling you that a number of consultative organizations provide the government with advice. Will you one day be abolishing the National Council of Welfare or the Senior Citizens Council, which also provide information and orientations and publish opinions? The sole mandate of the Law Reform Commission of Canada was to report to the government; it could take initiatives on current issues.
This seems to me a short-sighted action taken by a government that attaches little value to knowledge. In my view, thinking that we can assign mandates within the public service shows a singular lack of vision, of a broad view and of generosity. I admit I find it very hard to understand you.
As regards Francophones outside Quebec, I'll never pardon the petty action your government has taken. You definitely won't redeem yourselves now. This isn't the same thing. It's obviously less serious to abolish the commission than Francophones outside Quebec.
It's as though you had a kind of aversion to everything that's knowledge or is likely to differ from what you think. In view of the fact that the senior public service analyzed your election platform, saying that it was rubbish and contained virtually nothing good, you should perhaps leave some room for reflection. It's also part of the greatness of a minister to be able to face views that do not come directly from government.
This action does your government no credit. It shows no greatness in the way you directing matters or govern the state.