Mr. Speaker, Robin Richardson of the Fraser Institute told the media yesterday that if Quebec decides to separate and refuses to pay its share of the debt, Canada would be destitute.
It is inconceivable that an institution which claims to be serious could make such statements. Quebec sovereignists have always said openly that they would meet their responsibilities and that when Quebec becomes sovereign, it will assume its fair share of the federal debt. On the other hand, a sovereign Quebec will of course receive its fair share of federal assets.
At present, Quebec taxpayers are already bearing their share of the federal debt in the present system. But the way the Canadian government is managing its finances is cause for concern.
This is the second time in less than four months that the Fraser Institute has engaged in such speculation. In future, we hope that the institute will be a little more serious, because as Talleyrand said, anything exaggerated is not worth taking seriously.