The hon. member for Anjou-Rivière-des-Prairies who sits right behind me is also a member from the Montreal area. We have the same situation in Montreal. We have the Montreal Catholic School Commission which co-exists with another type of school organization, and again, not only do we have a duplication of the structure, but this is not the right way or the modern way to set up a school system, especially with the changes we will need to face the new millennium.
You could say: "Yes, but what does it mean ultimately in terms of management?" This is the most questionable aspect of our school system, the impact of a denominational school system, because it creates links within the management process that have no justification. It means that these denominations and their school commissions have some powers over which teachers are hired and fired. They have some powers over the building and maintenance of the schools. They have some powers over the way the education and school operating budgets are spent and, of course, over the creation of school districts and especially boundary adjustment.
Members, no doubt, have all received a letter from the premier of Newfoundland. I think I can say his name since he is no longer a member of Parliament. We have all received a letter from the premier of Newfoundland, Brian Tobin. His main theme is the need to review the education system in order to integrate it into only one multidenominational structure.
The premier of Newfoundland, based on the findings of the commission of inquiry, has determined that the province of Newfoundland can save as much as $17 million. Of course, $17 million is not the end of the world, but it is a considerable amount, given the population of Newfoundland.
We are extremely supportive of what is going on in Newfoundland. This reminds us of the use of referendums as a means of consultation. We will not be able to forget it, and the hon. member for St. Boniface is right in saying that he is concerned with the precedent that could be set by the interpretation. I believe that he is right in reminding us that in a democracy, on a Canada-wide scale or in a Quebec-only context, it is obvious that there cannot be two interpretations.
If, as parliamentarians, we recognize that 54 per cent of Newfoundlanders voted for a profound reform of their school system, when 52, 51 or 54 per cent of Quebecers decide in a democratic referendum held according to the rules adopted by Quebec's national assembly to become sovereign, we hope that the Canadian Parliament will show the same generous and democratic disposition toward Quebec as it is now showing toward Newfoundland.
Even if there were no debate on Newfoundland and no debate on Quebec's right to self-determination we, as the official opposition, would still say exactly the same thing we are saying today, which is that Newfoundland, following the results of its referendum, has the right to ask this and the other House of Parliament to examine a constitutional resolution allowing the province to proceed with a complete reform of its school system. We would say exactly the same thing and, moreover, we think that this is an important democratic step.
Let me conclude, since I see that my time is running out, by reminding members that, from what we heard from the Newfoundland government, with the proposals put forward by premier Tobin and his education minister, it will still be possible for parents to send their children to a unidenominational school if they make such a request and if there is a sufficient number of students. It is very similar to section 23.
I think that the Newfoundland government obviously believes that this system will be less popular and that the great reform which will be proposed will lead to more and more multidenominational schools. We want to salute such an initiative.
I think we would not have much credibility as parliamentarians if, in a debate such as this one, we started to ignore the validity of the democratic processes put in place by the provinces.
In closing, I urge all members of this House without exception to give their warm, enthusiastic and positive support to this resolution from the Government of Newfoundland.