I see that some members opposite are reacting. They are free to do so.
A province's separation is too serious and too irreversible for our government to undertake negotiations leading to secession without its being sure that this is what the people really want.
The Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs spoke of this in his December 13 speech. The more serious the decision, the more it must have the unanimous support of society. This has been a principle of democracy from day one. It is so strongly entrenched that even people's organizations say that it takes a two thirds majority to change their bylaws.
The Prime Minister has spoken of this. He even referred to groups such as hunting and fishing clubs, unions or other organizations, which require substantial majorities before their bylaws can be amended.