Mr. Speaker, yesterday December 13, 1995 was a black day for Canada. Canadians remember the Charlottetown accord.
In the end, even Mulroney had the decency to consult the people on constitutional change and abided by the results of the referendum.
What was the lesson the Liberal government learned from Charlottetown? Do not give the Canadian people the right to vote on their Constitution; they might not vote the way you want them to.
We saw the same arrogance last night. Despite the pleas for help from the majority of Quebecers, who voted no in the referendum, the government turned its back on them and granted a veto to the separatist Government of Quebec.
I believe any veto over constitutional change should be given to the people through referenda, not to politicians, not to provincial legislatures.
Yesterday the government defied the expressed wishes of all Canadians who voted down Charlottetown. The Liberals have made a mockery of democracy.