Mr. Speaker, well I hesitate to continue the debate because it is going round in circles. Almost all texts on democracy and almost every democracy I know of have constitutions and charters for the very purpose of protecting minorities.
It often happens that referendums, even when there is a majority, are not followed by legislation, because the majority often appears uncertain about the change contemplated. When the change selected involves not adding a right, but rather taking one away, and the right affects certain categories of citizens more than others, extreme care must be taken and questions asked in terms of the majority and the minority.
I agree with the hon. member that we must not lean too far in the opposite direction and give the minority tyranny. A balance must be struck according to the importance of the right at issue and the support that is measurable.
I repeat what I said. Should New Brunswick ever approach Parliament to abolish official bilingualism, which is recognized in the Constitution, without the support of the francophone minority, the amendment would have no chance of success, whatever the majority in the New Brunswick legislature or among the anglophone population of New Brunswick. It is a question of minority rights. Things must be viewed this way, and I am sure that if the hon. member gives it some thought he will agree.