Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Canadian mission to monitor the election in South Africa, I found that the first democratic election was generally free and fair.
It is my pleasure to inform the House that all members of the monitoring mission felt that the results reflected the will of the people of South Africa, and I would like to congratulate South Africans on an extraordinary achievement which they were able to bring to fruition in such a short time. The opening today of the first session of the new multiracial parliament marks the beginning of a long process of rebuilding and national reconciliation.
In spite of the poverty in the black townships and the lack of elementary infrastructures, I remain convinced that South Africans of all races will be able to meet the challenge of rebuilding and giving hope to the people.