Mr. Speaker, I want to begin with a quote: "Government must be judged by its effectiveness in promoting human dignity, justice, fairness and opportunity".
Nice words but I am afraid their meaning is hollow. Those words come from the Prime Minister in the fabled red book. Unfortunately last night the government showed that the words were only rhetoric. By invoking closure on several key pieces of legislation the government showed its true colours.
How does closing off debate serve the purpose of justice, fairness or opportunity? If anyone in Canada had any remaining doubts about the role of the Bloc Quebecois as the Official Opposition, those doubts went out the window last evening.
Did the Official Opposition stand up for freedom and for all Canadians? It did not. Now all Canadians can see the Bloc Quebecois Party for what it truly is. Both the government and the Bloc Quebecois can share in last night's shame.