Mr. Speaker, it is not paternalism in the least, it is federalism. Federalism is defined as a system in which public power is not concentrated in a single order of government, thus better protecting the freedom of citizens. The democratic federations are evidence of this.
We, the Canadian Parliament, have the responsibility of looking at what has occurred. The hon. member tells me it is unlikely the judgment brought down unanimously for the province of Newfoundland—this being the case we are addressing today—can be changed. The government agrees fully that it is unlikely, but we still cannot be remiss in our duty to look at this very closely.