Mr. Speaker, sometimes members of the Reform Party have a certain satisfaction at having been on the right side of the Charlottetown accord. There is a certain satisfaction in knowing that we were on the right side of the democratic consent. The people of Canada, if they are given enough time and information, and in some cases a political vehicle, will decide on the right side.
It was a wonderful thing during the Charlottetown accord to see people for probably the first time in a lifetime actually discussing the Constitution of the country. It was a beautiful thing. It was the first time in my life that anyone had said: What about this provision? What about the Senate? What is its role? How can it be improved? What about the number of seats? Should certain provinces have a veto?
It was a wonderful thing to openly discuss that without any fear. It was a wonderful way to get public input and to educate people. It was a good process. Those were the days.
I have a couple of questions with respect to the referendum which was held in Newfoundland. Why were there two referenda? We were promised that the first one would be the referendum to end it all. Everything was done properly. Why then did we need the second referendum? It is not a matter of referenda until we get the answer we want. It has to be done right at the outset.
We are not saying it should not be referred to and examined by a committee. That is the question that should be asked in committee. That is the question that should be taken to the people of Newfoundland for consideration. That is the question on which we should have a free vote. It is not that it is right or wrong, but it is a question that deserves to be put.
As has already been mentioned by an hon. member, after all of the publicity and all the brow beating, only 53% of the people came out. I wonder why that is. I am not from Newfoundland, so I do not know. I would like to travel there to find out. Was there a problem with the process? Perhaps not. Perhaps everyone is happy with it. In that case we probably will hear that in spades when we travel to Newfoundland.
In something as delicate as the future of how their children will be educated, I question that only half the people thought it was important enough to cast a vote. That is why the question was raised on this side of the House. That is why our amendment deals with this idea of going to the people, checking it out in committee by asking all these questions that have been laid out in the amendment so that we can do it properly, do it right and do it only one time instead of coming back and rehashing it again.