Mr. Speaker, if the government is not prepared to be visionary at least it must have given some thought to the principles that would guide its reactions to separatist initiatives.
For example, the charter says that Canada is founded upon the principle that recognizes the supremacy of law. If that principle is to guide federal government reactions then at least it should be willing to put forward an opinion on the legality or illegality of separatist initiatives.
Can the Deputy Prime Minister at least tell the House as a bare minimum what principles will guide federal reactions to separatist initiatives?