Mr. Speaker, I would like to say at the outset that the caucus of the Reform Party strongly believes that education is exclusively under provincial jurisdiction and that it is essential that this be fully respected.
However, we might add that the proposed amendment does not address minority language educational rights or the establishment of linguistic school boards. What is at stake here is the denominational rights protected by section 93 of the Constitution.
Amendments to the Constitution should never be passed without due consideration or in haste. We believe that before any constitutional amendment is passed, Parliament must make sure there is democratic consent, that the amendment respects the rule of law and that it is in the national interest.
If it adversely affects enshrined minority rights, Parliament must be especially careful that the democratic consent includes indisputable agreement on the part of the minority. We have come to the conclusion that the motion does not meet these requirements.
First, the Reform Party would rather see a provincial referendum before Parliament considers any amendment under section 93. This referendum should be on a clear question and the rules of the process should be fair. Such a referendun would have shown us how extensive public support is.
Second, we believe it is essential that the people of Canada, ordinary citizens, be consulted when major changes are contemplated, but the Quebec government has chosen not to hold any referendum on this issue. There have been neither public hearings on this proposed amendment to section 93 nor a free vote in the National Assembly.
Third, this committee should ensure that what it proposes meets the second requirement: respecting the rule of law. Is the appropriate amending formula being used? Some have questioned the appropriateness of the bilateral process. The proposal was sanctioned by the Government of Canada and by legal experts. Most witnesses we have heard therefore took it for granted.
In fact, we should not expect this committee to settle the issue in haste—