Mr. Speaker, the first multiracial elections in South Africa are beginning today.
These elections mark for the first time in that country the end of institutionalized racism. They are the culmination of years of hard work by many of its citizens.
It is both my hope and my prayer that these elections will be conducted in a fair and just manner and that the members of the new multiracial government will be able to work together for a peaceful and prosperous future for all.
Only by practising tolerance, understanding and moderation will the people of that beautiful country be able to bury its destructive past. South Africa has learned that equality of all people is fundamental to a peaceful society. Giving special status to some groups at the expense of others only engenders conflict and is highly divisive.
I hope we in Canada in dealing with our own constitutional problems will learn from abroad. I personally challenge Canadians of all regions and races to practise tolerance and understanding toward each other.