Mr. Speaker, the question is not the legality of referenda. That is not the issue that has attracted the attention of the national government. Nor have we the least interest in the various positions by Mr. Bertrand.
Mr. Bertrand started his civil proceedings a number of months ago, in August of last year.
We have not been involved in that litigation at all. We have no interest in the various positions taken by Mr. Bertrand. Our interest is in the position taken by the Government of Quebec during these past several weeks.
That has not to do with the legality of referenda. It has to do with whether the Constitution of Canada or the courts have a role to play in the whole process by which the separatist Government of Quebec aspires to sovereignty and independence.
That is a fundamental issue. It is one on which the Attorney General of Canada may well be able to assist the court. We are considering intervention on that point in the public interest.