Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his comments.
He addressed my remarks about the outpouring of affection-I think that is the right word-and concern of other Canadians that Quebec remain part of the Canadian family. He spoke about his wish that this would continue. I fully support that. I fully and completely support that as a francophone who for most of my life has understood and appreciated the importance of Quebec in this country.
Every chance I get I emphasize to people in my riding that we need to make clear that we understand and realize the importance of Quebec in this country. I can assure the hon. member that if the vote is a no vote, as I hope it will be, I will continue to say that after Monday. I applaud that sentiment.
I disagree with the hon. member when he spoke about the need to forge a new partnership. I simply ask him and all Quebecers to reflect on the fact that we have had a successful partnership in Canada for a long time. Yes, we have had our problems. We have had our quarrels as families will, but we have been able to work through them. We have worked them out. It was not lightly or easily that Canada was recognized as the best country in the world in which to live.
I ask him and all Quebecers, as the Prime Minister has done much better than I can do, to reflect very carefully on the fact that together we have built the best country in the world. It would be a tremendous risk and gamble to vote to break up our family. I sincerely hope Quebecers will not do that when they vote on Monday.