Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Good morning, gentlemen.
Since five minutes goes very quickly, I will get right to the point.
The year 1972 was a very important milestone in my young life; I remember watching the series of the century, those eight famous hockey games, as a teenager, and I could probably give you the play-by-play account today. I remember all the notes I made and everything to do with that momentous event.
Hockey is a sport that brings together Quebeckers and Canadians in a shared mesmerizing experience. Whether we are talking about olympic, professional or amateur hockey, huge numbers of young people played it when I was young, and that is still the case today. So it is an extremely powerful symbol. We can all agree on that.
There is another very important aspect, which is that we would like to see the Canadian team come out on top. We can agree on that as well, and that is not our issue today. We are talking here about respect, basic respect, in the context of this powerful symbol that is hockey. We see ourselves in this sport and we identify with it. When we watch hockey, it becomes as if we actually have the puck on our stick or in our glove, depending on which position we imagine ourselves playing and what is taking place.
What I find extremely hurtful is to hear you say that the National Hockey League is more important than the courts. A situation that was brought up earlier is currently before the courts. To show a minimum of respect for human rights in Quebec and Canada—and in this case, in view of the allegations that were made—Team Canada and its executives, the coaches and so on should have shown some sensitivity so as not to pour oil on the fire.
This player wears a "C" on his jersey. Phil Esposito in 1972 was a role model. Over the years, there have been other elite players that people have identified with. Even though I am a Quebecker, I was very proud. But now something has broken because there has not been a decision. The National Hockey League is not a god. Do you remember Bobby Hull and where he was in 1972? Mr. Trudeau got down on his knees and begged the NHL authorities, but they refused to let Bobby Hull be on the team. Imagine what that team would have been like if he had been there.
In the context of the respect that has to come into this debate, there is the issue of conduct and ethics. This is a sport. We teach our boys and girls to be respectful of other people in this sport and every other sport. What message do our children get when they know that this captain is caught up in this kind of situation? It seems that you really don't get it. There is something missing. It is not for nothing that the problem has ended up here in the committee.
When Colin Campbell comes here and tells us, as politicians, to go back to our corner, to go back to our penalty box and let the players play, the fact is that there is something at stake. There is a basic issue here that seems to me to be beyond you. There is a lack of respect towards the courts that are dealing with this case. We are not saying that Mr. Doan should pack his bags and go home. We are saying that the symbol that has been conferred on him is much greater than what he deserves, given the current situation.
Now what do you do if players are accused of racial discrimination in the context of their sport?
Thank you.