I won't take long. Mr. Cotler spoke last week, and there'd be nothing I would even be able to express that would hold a candle to the lucidity and completeness of his arguments, but there was one point he wished me to raise, which I simply want to get on the record, in the course of his presentation at the last meeting.
There was some question as to whether or not there was any sort of ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the charter. I can advise that on April 17, 2002, there was a special ceremony attended by 1,500 high school students, Prime Minister Chrétien, and Justice Minister Martin Cauchon at the National Arts Centre.
In specific response to a couple of the points raised by Mr. Rathgeber, there have been numerous instances of laws introduced by this government and others that have been found to be unconstitutional. I disagree with his interpretation that this committee can't do anything if the law isn't being followed. It is entirely open to this committee to change the law to some mechanism that is more workable.
Whether the section 4.1 review, as it's presently framed by the people who are doing the review, is the right way to go is something that we should be scrutinizing. Is there a role for the Library of Parliament in this? I think that is fair game for the committee to look at.
I applaud my colleague for the motion, and I'll be voting in support of it.