Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. As I indicated many times in my speech, it is the government's stated intention and we will carry through with that intention in all times, in all places and in all circumstances to obey and adhere to the rule of law.
The hon. member referred to a court case. The actions of the federal government with respect to that court case were simply in response to the actions taken by the Government of Quebec, taking what has been viewed as a rather extraordinary position that the rule of law, the Constitution of Canada, the courts of the nation do not have any say or any impact on the unilateral declaration of independence.
It is out of a desire to provide information to the court, to assist the court and in response to the actions taken by the Government of Quebec that the federal government is involved at all in this litigation.
Why do we always talk about things that drive us apart and emphasize differences? When we look across this great nation what are the things that tie us together? Right across the nation we believe in tolerance. Right across the nation we believe in working together. Right across the nation we believe in generosity and helping those who cannot help themselves. These are the fundamental principles that underlie our Canadian heritage, our Canadian citizenship. These are the values that unite us.
Let us talk about the things that unite us and bring us together instead of that which divides and we will find that when we can truly bring to the fore these values in a concrete fashion not only will it be good for the country in human terms, it will be good for the country in economic terms as well.