Mr. Speaker, since 1867, provincial governments have had the right to make references to their provincial court of appeal, and the federal government has the same right with respect to the Supreme Court of Canada.
This is a mechanism which has been put in place, which exists, which is well recognized in law. Even citizens may exercise it in Quebec through a declaratory action, since it is sometimes very wise to seek the court's opinion before acting, rather than trying to pick up the pieces afterward.