Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. When we talk about sovereignty, we must understand that if Canada were completely self-sufficient, maybe it could force its way or dictate to Quebec, but I think that Canada, like Quebec, is a country that needs outside markets and I am sure that Quebec will do very well in this big system of international trade which will be increasingly governed by such treaties.
To give the hon. member a better answer, I might suggest that he refer to what my colleague from Rosemont said in the debate on November 1. Here is an excerpt:
It is largely a matter of international law, the broadening and reinforcement of which the minister praised today. Article XXVI(5)(c) of the GATT agreement provides that a new state carved out of a country which is already a member of GATT automatically becomes a member on becoming a sovereign state, provided it accepts the conditions and requirements applicable to the parent state. It is quite simple and clear. A C.D. Howe Institute study says that most Canadian experts fully recognize that fact.
Quite simply, Canada will respect and work with Quebec just as it works with all other sovereign countries.