Mr. Speaker, tomorrow marks the International Day for the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination. It is a day for Canadians to reflect on the harm racism causes in our communities and to think of what we can do to make Canada a more tolerant society.
At this time last year, I really believed we had made progress in this area. However, the racist remarks and accusations made by the
Bloc and the PQ during the referendum, and especially those uttered by the former premier of Quebec, have only increased racial tensions in Quebec. Worse yet, the new premier of Quebec never distanced himself from his predecessor's racist comments.
Part of the solution is admitting that you have done something wrong. By refusing to apologize for their behaviour the Bloc and the PQ are saying that it is okay to make remarks like this and that people will eventually forget anyway. I have not forgotten and I am still waiting for an apology.