Mr. Speaker, I commend the hon. member for stating his bias from the beginning. However, I remind him that this debate is not about Catholic education in Alberta. It is about the denominational school systems in Newfoundland and Labrador. We have to keep that in mind when we are dealing with this issue and the express wishes of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The member referred to multiculturalism and pluralism. The member for Calgary Southeast also referred to pluralism. They said that a secular school system somehow flies in the face of our Canadian value of pluralism. I suggest the contrary.
The system promoted by the member is one that provides for segregation as opposed to integration. A Canadian value that is more respected is that children of all the various denominations and religions can go to school together, live together and experience life together. That is something that Canadians with Canadian values would like to see.
The member referred to a way to get rid of religion is to kill the institutions. I honestly think that was an exaggeration. I do not think there is anyone who would seriously suggest that this honest effort by the Government of Newfoundland supported by all the opposition parties in the legislature of Newfoundland and supported by 73% of the people who showed up to vote in the referendum could really be described as an attempt to kill the institutions or to kill religion.
I think the member does the people and the Government of Newfoundland a disservice when he uses that kind of language.