Madam Speaker, I wish take the opportunity to set a matter straight for the member. We sat together on the ethics code committee. We did not succeed in agreeing there more than on the justice committee.
He made a particular comment that I agree with 100%. He said that very often we should ask ourselves which jurisdiction could more properly deal with the matter. He said that we should always give the responsibility to those who are closest to the people. I do not think there is a matter more appropriate than this one, on that score.
Which jurisdiction, the province or the federal government, can more properly apply the law on divorce or separation? I believe that the answer is obvious, it is the provinces.
There is already a lot of social legislation to assist families. I think this is like a puzzle and there is a piece of this puzzle that is missing and without which Quebec and the other provinces cannot have full jurisdiction, and that piece is divorce legislation, which would complete the whole area of family law.
But my question is the following: Is the Reform member familiar with the Quebec example in the area of family law, including separation? Also, is the Reform Party member familiar with how we have decided to proceed in Quebec since September 1, 1997 in the area of family mediation, which is offered to everyone free of charge, which accelerates the process for separation and divorce, and which deals with the issues of custody, child support, joint accounts, assets and other things? Is the member familiar with the Quebec example and does he recognize that it goes well beyond what the federal government can provide by asking a committee to review this issue?