Mr. Speaker, a year ago today, the issue of Quebec's future was once again in the public spotlight. Quebec, with 49.4 per cent for the Yes side, said loud and clear that it was becoming more and more sovereign.
A year later, the federal promises of change which came late in the day have vanished as quickly as they were made. The Supreme Court has been asked to challenge the legitimacy of the plan for a sovereign Quebec and to contest the desire of Quebec to become an independent society.
The people of Quebec are watching all this very closely. Sovereignty is the only credible option for the future of Quebec and Canada. We must prepare for it. A partnership, an integral part of the plans for a sovereign Quebec, will be the basis for our future relations with Canada. As we approach the year 2000, Quebecers will choose the way of the future, when they will at last be able to develop their full potential.
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