Madam Speaker, as I was saying, I rise to speak against the motion of the member for Laurier-Sainte-Marie. The Bloc Quebecois members are trying to use the same tactics as their colleagues from the Parti Quebecois; it is quite normal, both parties are separatist.
Both are trying to make Quebecers believe that the process they are putting forward is clever. Being clever and sly has nothing to do with democracy. Democracy does not resort to clever tricks. When I read the motion by the Bloc Quebecois, I was reminded of Mr. Parizeau's own comments boasting that he had found a clever way to convince Quebecers of the validity of the separatist ideology.
In turn, the Bloc members are resorting to Mr. Parizeau's clever trick. They are trying to make us believe that the process he started is democratic. When I read the motion, I came to the conclusion that this House cannot, in a million years, endorse such a trick. This House must not support a process which does not lead to the real question. This House must not support a motion which is trying to hijack Quebec's established and legitimate consultation process. This House, this bastion of democracy, must defeat the motion by the Bloc Quebecois.
It is also obvious that the process advocated by the Parti Quebecois and its mirror image, the Bloc Quebecois, was conceived to deliberately disguise the real debate, to lead Quebecers away from the real question, from the debate on the question the Parti Quebecois itself put forward on many occasions. This question, the real one, the one the Parti Quebecois had committed itself to put to a vote, was to clearly ask Quebecers whether or not they wanted to separate from Canada.
However, the Parti Quebecois, and by default, the Bloc Quebecois, preferred to skip this step. According to Mr. Parizeau, the people of Quebec should not be asked if they want to separate from Canada. They must not be asked to vote on a clear and simple question as part of the process set in motion under the referendum act. No, that would be too democratic and not shrewd enough.
Mr. Parizeau decided instead to force the people of Quebec to take part in a process, the outcome of which is already known, one that offers only one option and they are required to make a profession of faith for separation in order to take part in this process. Let us not delude ourselves. Parizeau has no intention of letting Quebecers who do not think like him influence his
process and its outcome. He has clearly stated that it would be difficult to change his mind about certain aspects of his draft bill. How are we to believe that the process will be democratic then?
How could a federalist who does not share the separatist ideal feel free to express her concerns to a commission mandated to consider the basis of a sovereign Quebec, separated from Canada? She will not even be given the opportunity to question separation or discuss the issue. She is invited to share with Mr. Parizeau her views on the choice of a currency, her citizenship, and the future of Quebec apart from Canada.
Where will federalist Quebecers find a forum where they can exercise their right to speak and put across their fundamental opposition to separation? They will quite simply have no forum, because the Parti Quebecois just does not want to hear what they have to say.
As we say in French, the PQ has no use for anyone who does not share its opinion. The Parti Quebecois has already decided the future of Quebecers. The PQ and Bloc members are the only ones who know what is good for the people of Quebec. They have charted their future without even consulting them.
In the interest of the people of Quebec, the Parti Quebecois will take Quebec out of Canada. Too bad for Quebecers who believe in federalism and object to separation. Too bad for you, if you wanted to express your concerns and fears about, or rejection of the separatist option. Just do not be afraid.
The Parti Quebecois is telling these people that there is nothing to be afraid of, since it has all been decided: economic association, currency, legislation and so on. All they have to do is vote on a bill that has already been passed by the Pequiste majority. They do not even have to worry about the desirability of separation because, as far as they are concerned, it is a done deal.
The Parti Quebecois says that it is the only option, that there is nothing else. Such is the democratic process PQ style. Everything has already been decided in advance. It is as though your neighbour Gilles woke you up on Saturday morning to tell you: "You are moving. The decision has already been made. You have no choice. If you want, however, we can discuss the size of the moving van you will need".
No one could describe this as an open approach allowing all viewpoints to be heard. You could not even object to your moving; it would be a done deal.
Like your neighbour Gilles, the opposition member is asking us to say: "No problem. Even though I have always been against moving, it does not matter. I will move. Let us now discuss the size of the van".
Such is the democratic logic of the motion they are asking us to adopt. Not only is the process rigged but there is an additional obstacle. Federalists are not allowed equal representation on the commissions advocated by PQ members. They are not given access to the same resources and do not have as much time to speak as the separatists. The process advocated by the PQ goes against the very spirit of the Referendum Act.
René Lévesque, who was a proud believer in fairness and parity, would be ashamed. Those who define themselves as his heirs are now subverting the basic principles underlying Quebec's tradition of consulting its people. How can they ask us today to ratify a process that flies in the face of democratic principles?
The PQ process is forcing people to conclude that separation is inevitable, that Quebecers no longer have a choice. I am denouncing this bluff by the Quebec government, just as I reject the motion tabled by the Bloc Quebecois.
Nowhere is it said or written that Quebecers must separate from Canada, and that to fully realize their future, they must create a new country. Quebecers already have a country, a country that they built, that belongs to them, that reflects their culture, their language, their achievements, a country where they are free to grow without constraints. This country is Canada.
Quebecers were directly involved in building and developing this country. They did more than preside over its birth. They are responsible for it and contribute to its growth. They are essential members of this country.
The opposition's motion asks us to presume that Quebecers want to break their ties with their country, to reject a country that they built and which belongs to them, without asking them whether or not they want to take that road.
In all conscience, I cannot support this motion. I cannot vote for a motion which is contrary to the spirit of a citizen's most basic right in this country, namely the right to free expression of his opinion.
I call on all members of this House to vote against this motion, to vote no to the trickery which subverts the democratic process, to vote no to the ruse which hides the real debate. That is why we must defeat this motion, out of respect for democracy.
The proof of all that I just said is in the press release from the Premier of Quebec when he tabled his draft bill. I would like to quote the third paragraph of this press release from the Premier who tabled a draft bill on Quebec sovereignty this week. Here is what it says, in the third paragraph: "A vast process of information and participation will get under way to give all Quebecers an opportunity to take part directly in the discussion which is beginning. The people can comment on the plan, discuss it and propose improvements-" Madam Speaker, it says "propose improvements", not propose changes, only improve it.
Again I quote from the same press release from the Premier of Quebec, this time the fourth paragraph: "Through this process, Quebecers will also be asked to draft a Declaration of Sovereignty".
Nothing is said about asking people whether they agree that Quebec should separate from Canada. We are presented with a plan. The Government of Quebec and the Bloc Quebecois think that Quebecers agree on separation. However, according to opinion polls, the majority, at least 60 per cent, are against separation. Although the government was elected on the promise of being a good government and holding a referendum on separation later, it is proposing a bill as if it had received a mandate to trigger this mechanism leading to separation. It is quite clear.
When we say that not only Liberal members in Quebec City and Ottawa do not want to participate, even important groups in Quebec that took part in the Bélanger-Campeau Commission, which my colleagues opposite in the Bloc Quebecois have mentioned repeatedly this morning, like the farmers' union, the president of the Quebec City Chamber of Commerce, the president of the employers' council and the president of the Quebec manufacturers' association said that they would not participate in this process because it is undemocratic. They would have taken part if it had been something like the Bélanger-Campeau Commission, but not in a process like this. We are not the only ones. We do not want to participate. We participate fully in Quebec life. We want to take part in a debate where people can express themselves and make points for Canadian federalism and for separation. Once Quebecers have made their decision, then their government can table draft legislation like this and tell them: You have voted for separation. Here is how we will proceed.
What is Mr. Parizeau doing right now? He is skipping the basic step, because he has already initiated the process, without even securing a mandate to separate. The answer is no, a categorical no, and we will fight the process all the way to prove it. That answer is certainly the one Quebecers will give Mr. Parizeau, and here in the House, we say no to the Bloc members.