Mr. Speaker, our national anthem states that this is our home and native land. That applies to all Canadians. The Mi'kmaq and the fishermen of Atlantic Canada have lived side by side in peace for hundreds of years. All of a sudden one segment of society feels like it has a second class citizenship, that their citizenship is not a full citizenship anymore and we have bad relations all of a sudden.
My hon. colleague has commented on the bad situation that is occurring. Before I ask him to comment further on that, I would like to say that our national anthem also says that we stand on guard for thee. I would like to know who is standing guard for the nation?
Every group has its defenders. Every group has people who speak for it. I would like to know who is going to speak for the nation in this debate.