Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good morning, Minister. Welcome to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
I see that you're joined by the qualified people needed to help you effectively carry out your mandate as minister. Your team includes our former colleague from the Barreau du Québec, Ms. Hogue. She used to be a judge at the Quebec Court of Appeal. I would like to extend my greetings to her as well.
Minister, your priorities for the coming weeks and months include a topic of particular concern to us. This topic is the Clarity Act. In recent weeks, you must have noticed a number of different statements that we found contradictory, to say the least. Your parliamentary secretary confirmed, for example, that 50% plus one was a valid percentage—a clear result—in a referendum. However, you and the Prime Minister seemed somewhat conflicted about the issue. Some journalists spoke of reframing.
I would like to hear your opinion on this matter. In a referendum—in Alberta, Quebec or another place—is 50% plus one a clear majority?