Madam Speaker, Bill C-230, introduced today by the hon. member for Okanagan-Shuswap, would provide for a national referendum to authorize the government to negotiate terms of separation with a province that has voted for separation from Canada.
It is the second time within only a few months that the Reform Party has proposed a debate on a variation on the same theme. It is clear that by introducing this bill, the third party favours confrontation over national reconciliation.
Whereas the government is working to improve the federation so that it better responds to the real concerns of Canadians, the Reform Party seems to be interested only in the hypothetical scenario of secession. That being said, the practical constructive approach the federal government is focusing on to renew the federation does not prevent the government from understanding and sharing some of the concerns expressed today by the member for Okanagan-Shuswap.
I probably do not need to remind the member that the federal government has made a commitment to clarifying the legal questions relating to the possibility of Quebec secession.
I nevertheless wish to recall why our government intervened in the Bertrand case. We did so to defend the rule of law, to express our profound disagreement with the position of the Attorney General of Quebec, who maintained that Canadian courts had no role to play in issues concerning separation and that these issues had no connection with Canadian laws or our Constitution.
In the light of the position taken by the Government of Quebec and the ruling by Judge Pidgeon in the case of lawyer Guy Bertrand, our government announced that it asked the Supreme Court of Canada to give an advisory opinion on the fundamental issues relating to separation which arose from the Pidgeon ruling.
It is reassuring for all Canadians to note that the Superior Court dismissed the main arguments of the Government of Quebec, which maintained that accession to sovereignty had nothing to do with the Canadian Constitution. The judgment pointed out, first of all, that the case is an important one, and that it cannot be rejected without a hearing; second, that the legal aspects of secession are complex and important and therefore deserve to be heard on the merits of the case; and third, that the courts play a fundamental role in protecting the rule of law.
Let it be clear that the government's decision to ask for a reference to the Supreme Court of Canada in no way challenges the right of Quebecers to decide on their own future through a consultative referendum. What we want is to establish a framework based on legal certainties that will permit us to reply to certain fundamental questions to do with a possible secession.
Contrary to what the government of Quebec is advocating, this is a responsible action on the part of our government, which must ensure social, economic and legal stability for Canadians. As long as there is a question of another referendum in Quebec, our government will assume its responsibility of ensuring that all the cards are on the table.
We are thus on the one hand fully assuming our responsibility and on the other hand and as a priority pursuing our plans to renew the federation step by step which is what Canadians want. On the contrary, rather than making a constructive contribution to the debate and helping Canadians to come closer together, the Reform Party has a tendency to exploit the differences that divide for partisan ends.
The issues of concern to Canadians are economic prosperity, jobs, social programs and the unity of our country. They are also the priorities our government has set for itself.
Canadians want their government to work together to bring about the changes that will make the federation work more effectively and more efficiently. They want gradual changes that will yield direct, positive results. The government is forging ahead with the measures to make the Canadian federation work better which were announced in the speech from the throne in February and the last budget and discussed at the first ministers meeting in June. In that regard, allow me to summarize for the benefit of my hon. colleague the initiatives for change that have been announced or implemented.
The federal government is pursuing its efforts with the provinces and territories for a review of the roles and responsibilities of the various levels of government. It has therefore undertaken to withdraw from areas of activity that are more properly the responsibility of the provinces, municipalities and other stakeholders, such as job training, certain sectors of transportation, mining, forestry, recreation and public housing.
In this regard, the proposal made last May by our colleague, the Minister of Human Resources Development, is a concrete example of delivering on a promise that was important for our government and for most of the provinces, which have, for some time now, been asking for more responsibility in this area.
It is a practical example that will make it possible to tailor programs to the particular needs of the regions, thus marking an important step towards a more flexible federalism.
With respect to social programs, the government is committed to ensuring that all Canadians can continue to rely on a secure, lasting social safety net. We are working with the provinces to ensure that Canada's social programs continue to express the national objectives, values and principles cherished by our fellow citizens.
Again, with a view to co-operation and dialogue, a federal-provincial-territorial committee on social policy and national standards was proposed at the first ministers meeting in June and was endorsed by the provinces in August in Jasper, Alberta. Alberta recently appointed the co-chair of that committee. Our colleague, the Minister of Human Resources Development, together with the Minister of Health will thus be able to pursue the discussions on this matter which is of key importance to all citizens.
As far as the economy is concerned, the government will continue to work with the provinces to reduce the barriers to internal trade and manpower mobility.
It is also in the interest of better serving the public interest that the federal government is proposing the creation, in co-operation with the interested provinces, of new mechanisms to reduce overlap in the sectors of securities, revenue collection and food inspection.
In the environmental field the federal and provincial governments have agreed on a renewed partnership to develop effective management objectives and principles. In the field of tourism the provinces and territories have welcomed the private sector's co-operation in connection with the activities of the Canadian tourism commission.
These are a host of tangible examples of the progress that can be achieved through co-operation between the different orders of government. Discussions are evolving to renew the immensely successful national infrastructure program. The federal government is working with the provinces and territories to develop a proposal that is acceptable to all. This matter will be discussed at the upcoming finance ministers meeting next month.
Furthermore, our government is committed to restricting its spending power in areas that are the exclusive jurisdiction of the provinces. It will no longer use its spending power to create new, shared-cost programs in areas under provincial jurisdiction without the consent of the majority of the provinces. Provinces that opt out and establish a comparable program will receive compensation. It is the first time the federal government has offered to limit its powers outside the context of formal constitutional talks. This commitment marks a turning point in the history of federalism.
This is how our government is renewing the Canadian federation, by proposing constructive solutions to the issues which concern Canadians in an atmosphere of co-operation, dialogue and
respect. We believe that the spirit of co-operation and openness will enable us to further Canadian unity.
Therefore, for all the reasons I enumerated previously, I cannot support the bill introduced today in the House by the hon. member.
Again, I do not dismiss the concerns about the possibility of another referendum in Quebec. Our government is well aware of them and is acting responsibly, as was pointed out in the throne speech.
However, I believe that co-operation, not confrontation, is the way to bring about the changes Canadians want and to guarantee the unity of our country.
We will continue to demonstrate that as we gradually improve the way our federation works, we will be in a better position to respond to the needs and aspirations of all citizens.
If the Reform Party wants to do everything it can for national unity, we urge it to drop the confrontational rhetoric and work on national reconciliation and the renewal of our federation, in the best interests of all Canadians.