Mr. Speaker, first of all I would like to thank my colleague for this very long question with its many parts. First off, I must say that the words dialogue, partnership and co-operation are not just words but are underlying principles in Quebec, underlying principles used by elected members, used in the communities. In Quebec we have always worked through dialogue, partnerships and in co-operation.
To my mind, this is a very clear characteristic of Quebec and in this regard, my hon. colleague, you must have seen the numerous socio-economic summits held in all regions since the 1980s, you must have seen dialogue and partnerships develop between university communities and economic communities. Since then, you must have seen strategic plans evolving for each region in response to the difficult economic situation and to meet development needs.
Yes, my hon. colleague, we have these deeply rooted qualities and we have also worked through partnerships, in co-operation and openly with a great variety of partners in Canada, the United States and other countries.
However, my hon. colleague, we are not attempting to give a history lesson, but we do have a very great deal of patience. Quebec has demonstrated that it has a lot of patience. Quebec has shown that it is a very peace loving nation. We have discussed this Canadian partnership for a very long time now. We have had repeated discussions about many areas of jurisdiction. One must consider that we have suffered heavy blows as a result of these discussions. You will remember that the greatest and most serious blow ever dealt to Quebec was the unilateral patriation of the constitution in 1982.
This unilateral patriation of the constitution, to remind you, followed a major debate in Quebec when honest people believed the speeches stating that a "no" meant "yes" to fundamental change to the system described as a partnership, involving give-and-take and co-operation, when they were told that a "no" meant "yes" to profound reform and to a serious re-affirmation of ties with Quebec. Quebec had the constitution rammed down its throat. Even though the National Assembly voted almost unanimously against patriation. There are limits.
Quebec nevertheless took the "beau risque". We tried to come back, to resume dialogue, to get back into the debate with a partner called Canada and the other provinces. We went through different stages. We survived the Charlottetown experience, we survived Meech, despite the many wounds they inflicted.
Partnership, openness and association with our neighbours are qualities that are still part of the make-up of Quebecers, but it is hard to conceive that association could coexist with renewal.
Yes indeed, dear colleague, Quebec, which will take on the qualities of a sovereign country, will be extremely interested in economic association. Please keep in mind one very important point regarding Quebec's trade balances with the other provinces. In 1989, Quebec bought goods and services for a total of $26 billion from Ontario, $2.2 billion from the Atlantic provinces and $5 billion from the Ottawa region alone. Trade links between these regions do exist.
Yes, dear colleague, we are prepared to work in partnership with friendly countries and in a spirit of openness, co-operation and collaboration, but only on the basis of economic association and only after we have established our sovereignty.