Mr. Speaker, over the last few days, the Prime Minister once again showed his true colours. The architect of the unilateral patriation of the constitution in 1982 has once again decided to put Quebec in its place. Indeed, after stating that he would not abide by Quebecers' decision if they voted yes, the Prime Minister is now saying that he will muzzle them by keeping them from holding another referendum.
The Prime Minister said that he would not hesitate to use every power available to keep Quebecers from exercising that legitimate right again. Nothing has changed. The uncompromising and centralizing federalism of Pierre Elliot Trudeau is still very much alive in the Prime Minister's mind.
As far as he is concerned, Quebec is a province like any other, and it must stay that way. Just forty-eight hours after Monday's referendum, Canada is in a catch 22 situation since federalism remains impervious to any real change, while Quebecers are not interested in the status quo.