Mr. Speaker, the minister also stated today, and again I quote: "Any government that suggests it would throw Quebec and all of Canada into the confusion of a unilateral declaration of independence is being profoundly irresponsible. It is a formula for chaos".
But who are the ones being irresponsible? The Government of Quebec for proposing, after obtaining a democratic mandate from the people of Quebec to negotiate on an equal basis for the first time in its life, or this government for wishing to impose the same legal framework as was in place for Meech Lake, where a single MP from Manitoba, or a province like Newfoundland, could decide Quebec's future? Which is the irresponsible one?