Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the thousands of Canadian school children who voted this week in an election to highlight the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
These students learned about the value of basic rights, they learned about the importance of democracy and they developed an interest in current affairs.
Unfortunately, what should be a celebration of education and democracy, is mired in controversy because of the extreme right wing views of those in the Reform Party.
I was moved by the comment of a Calgary student on CBC radio this morning. She said she was “slighted” by Reform allegations that the vote somehow impinges on parental rights and the results will be used by the Liberal government for some hidden agenda.
I fully agree with the student. One would think that the party that prides itself in supporting so-called family values, would recognize the importance of teaching our children about democracy and basic human rights.
Then again, that would take common sense, something the Reform Party does not have.