Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on Bill C-110, an act respecting constitutional amendments. The bill, which grants a veto to various regions of Canada, has been recently amended to include British Columbia as the fifth region that can exercise a veto to block a constitutional change.
This veto can only apply to a constitutional amendment requiring the support of seven provinces representing 50 per cent of the population.
This amendment to the bill was requested by the people of British Columbia, who exercised a great deal of pressure to obtain this right.
The amendment is welcome and gives B.C. a well deserved autonomy in the exercise of the veto and the recognition by the government that B.C. is a distinct region in all aspects. B.C., which has a powerful economy and a strong Asia-Pacific connection, sees itself is a region because of its geographical location and a tremendous growth potential both economy and people wise.
Furthermore, British Columbia has been called the Pacific region for many years in many government departments and other agencies. In British Columbia, beyond the Rocky Mountains, we have a vibrant population that is more and more requesting to be recognized for its distinctiveness. Its population of over 3.7 million people, almost 13 per cent of the Canadian population, feels more and more a sense of pride in its achievements and successes.
British Columbia has been changing dramatically over the years and has become the home of many immigrants, a large number of them from the Pacific Rim, being the closest region to B.C. For a long time B.C. was somewhat isolated, far from Europe and from eastern Canada. It did not seem to attract as many people as Ontario and Quebec. At this point British Columbia is one of the most desirable places in Canada and in the world in which to live.
The growth in population and its variety have made British Columbia a booming place. In 1997 Vancouver will host APEC, the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation Conference, 10 years after Expo' 86, the time when Vancouver and B.C. seemed to be discovered by the world.
Even my family members in Italy often comment on Vancouver. They often see it on television and read about B.C. in the papers. This is quite recent, and we seem to like the attention.
I arrived in B.C. in 1966 and I have seen many changes since then. I saw Vancouver's skyline change dramatically. I saw the composition of the population constantly alter to eventually create a mosaic of cultures and beliefs. I saw these cultures coming together to celebrate a province more and more conscious of its great location and appeal.
I would like to thank the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice for the change they made in this bill. This amendment gives British Columbia an important place in the history and future of our country.
We know that Canada is a remarkable country where people respect each other and are unique in their understanding of one another.
B.C. remains part of the west. We are in the west but there is a difference between being a prairie province and a province that lies on the Pacific Ocean and which is becoming more and more a part of international trade.
The Prime Minister with his missions to the Orient has strengthened Canada. B.C., being the coastal province, has received many benefits and continues to receive them.
This amendment will help British Columbians feel their rights are being respected and that their voice is being heard because they demanded the veto and they obtained it.