Madam Speaker, the hon. member opposite makes all kinds of interesting comments. He is obviously a very learned individual and one who is able to twist words, to twist meanings and to make things appear different from what they really are. I think it is a rather negative thing when somebody does that.
There is one point he made that I want to commend him for. It was not directly related to the act, but it does have to do with the overall operation of the House. He did suggest in his speech that the Nisga'a bill was a very important bill that put into law the Nisga'a treaty. He said that it was really very important and implied that it would affect all of Canada.
Why then would the hon. member not support a referendum? If it will affect virtually everyone and our tax dollars are involved, our operations are involved and the local government is involved as well, why would he refuse a referendum?