Mr. Speaker, the chief electoral officer of Quebec has now charged 50 students at Bishop's University with voting illegally in the referendum. Their fine is $500 for showing a commitment to their province of residence and to their democratic duty as citizens to vote.
What is the fine for those who illegally discarded ballots, depriving citizens of the right to vote? One hundred dollars.
These students turned to their member of Parliament to help them. And what did the member for Sherbrooke, the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, the erstwhile defender of federalism, have to say? He could not help them because it was a provincial matter.
People have fought and died for the right to vote in this country. Taking away that democratic right only merits a fine of $100. Exercising one's responsibility as a citizen costs $500. Is this the democracy of the separatists?