Mr. Speaker, the three countries that are party to the North American Free Trade Agreement have not yet been invited to comment officially on an independent Quebec's membership in NAFTA, and yet already anxiety is being felt in government headquarters in Quebec City. Today's Globe and Mail reveals that the Parti Quebecois government has prepared a list of 31 different subjects or areas for negotiation with the future partners before an independent Quebec joins NAFTA.
This list of preferential acts and regulations Quebec currently enjoys as a province of Canada would no longer be covered by the terms of the present agreement should Quebec separate. Quebec would be best assured of protecting these various sectors of activity by remaining in Canada, and this is what the people will say on October 30.