Mr. Speaker, eight years ago, on February 8, the foreign affairs ministers of the 12 members of the EU signed a new monetary, economic and political partnership agreement. This was the Maastricht agreement, the new Europe.
Then the acceptance or rejection of this agreement was put to a vote in referendums in these countries. In all instances, the rule of absolute majority applied.
What a contrast to Bill C-20, which, in addition to failing to recognize the rule of absolute majority, denies Quebecers the right to ask their government to negotiate a new economic and political partnership agreement with Canada.
While Europe is built on openness, equality of peoples and respect for the rules of democracy, the federal government is trying to restrict democracy and to deny the equality of peoples in order to preserve the status quo.
Hats off to Europe of the people and democracy and shame on the federal government of Canada.