Mr. Speaker, Quebec's directeur général des élections has laid formal charges against certain private corporations and members of the Liberal Party of Canada, for offences against the Quebec Referendum Act on the occasion of the mammoth no rally last October 27. In English Canada, some Liberal MPs are expressing the opinion that freedom of expression is in jeopardy because of the charges laid by the DGE.
I would remind the House that the Quebec legislation does not prevent freedom of expression. On the contrary, in fact. The present debate again raises the question of the justification of limiting third party expenditures during the time leading up to elections, and their impact on the outcome on voting day.
How would English Canada react to a Quebec citizen's spending like there was no tomorrow in order to influence the results of a provincial election? Must it be pointed out that even the Canada Elections Act limits election expenses? This attack by English Canada against a Quebec law is just one more illustration of its double standard.