Mr. Speaker, the English speaking Canadian intelligentsia met yesterday in Toronto, at the invitation of the C.D. Howe Institute, and indulged in a fit of Quebec-bashing the likes of which have seldom been seen.
These great democrats, full of Canadian patriotism, suggested that Quebecers be made to suffer in order to prevent a vote in favour of sovereignty. This idea was not only sanctioned but added to by political science expert Stéphane Dion, who suggested that ``the more it will hurt, the more support for sovereignty will weaken''.
Since Stéphane Dion is now a freelancer working as an advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada, Quebecers gather that his statement reflects the position of the federal government.
I trust that Quebecers will, as they have done throughout their history, stand tall and defend their right to exist to the face of the world.