Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate constitution day with the people of Poland and Polish Canadians.
May 3 marks the 209th anniversary of Poland's constitution. The constitution of 1791 was the first liberal constitution in Europe and the second in the world.
The philosophies of humanitarianism and tolerance are present throughout the constitution. These include the right to rule by majority, secret ballots at all elections, as well as religious freedom and liberty for all people. This constitution founded a government called the guardian of laws, established a constitutional monarchy and introduced the principle of ministerial responsibility to the parliament. In terms of democratic precepts, this constitution is a landmark in the history of central and eastern Europe.
Solidarity honoured the memory of the bill on government following the parliamentary elections of June 1989. On April 6, 1990, the parliament re-established the May 3rd constitution day which is celebrated today around the world.