Mr. Speaker, yesterday I was accused by the member for Richelieu of being hypocritical in presenting a petition to the House while opposing its content.
I would like to say to that member that I shall on occasion oppose certain views some of my constituents may hold but I will not oppose their right to express them or to have their voice heard in this place.
I want to tell those who claim that I do not respect the bilingual status of our country that I am the first member of Parliament for Simcoe North to provide services and to send out householders in both official languages.
The Bloc Quebecois has often said it was given the democratic right to sit in this place despite its fundamental goal to break up our country.
I find it despicable on the part of Bloc Quebecois members to claim that they want to protect the principles of democracy and freedom of expression when, in fact, they are trying to deprive others of those rights.
We believe in democracy whether it suits our political agenda or not.