Madam Speaker, it is a great pleasure for me to take part in this debate.
I congratulate the hon. member for Verchères—Les-Patriotes for bringing the motion forward. I believe the motives of the hon. member are genuine. This is part of his personal history of which he is very proud. From my brief conversation with the member this evening I believe it was in that spirit that he brought forth the motion.
We are talking about a people with a proud history. Anyone who has done even peripheral reading on the history of the Acadians before 1755, during their expulsion in 1755 and after their return in 1763 or 1768, depending on the situation, knows that it is almost surreal.
While the Progressive Conservative Party is indeed supportive of the principle of the motion, we are also respectful of the Acadian community's right to generate its own request for an apology based on the desires of its people.
No one should be too territorial in that regard. It would be wrong for me to say that because the province of New Brunswick, the province I come from, has the largest Acadian population it should have the largest say in the matter. We should consult all Acadian peoples whether they reside in Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island or Nova Scotia. I point out that on their return from Louisiana many Acadians made their home in Quebec as well, where they have lived quite proudly for generations.
The Acadian identity is intrinsically linked to the tragic events that surrounded the deportation. The community has survived the centuries based on that common historical link. I am very proud to live in a province that is proud of its history and its origins.
We need symbols to remember our collective history, and I am proud of how we embrace our linguistic and cultural duality in New Brunswick. On the front lawn of the legislature in Fredericton, where I understand the hon. member has roots, the Acadian flag flies proud. Except for the star of Mary, it is essentially the same as the flag of France. The Acadians chose that flag because of their French roots but added the star of Mary, a symbol of the Roman Catholic Church, because they had an independent history of their own.
We have some concerns regarding a letter the Societé nationale de l'Acadie wrote to the hon. member for Verchères—Les-Patriotes. The letter said:
Although, obviously I agree with the principle of the motion, I must tell you that we are indignant about the fact that it was brought forward without anyone having the courtesy to consult the Société nationale de l'Acadie beforehand.
The Societé nationale de l'Acadie is very concerned about not having proper consultation, and we should be respectful of that. We should also be respectful of the provincial legislatures that are involved. The premiers and legislatures of other provinces might want a say in the issue as well.
I have always been respectful that the province of Quebec has the right to speak for its own future. I would argue as well that the Societé nationale de l'Acadie has the responsibility and the right to present the position of Acadians in requesting an apology of this nature.
The Progressive Conservative Party is very supportive of what I would say is the genuine motivation of the hon. member for putting the motion forward. We say to the hon. member that it would perhaps be best if the motion were not taken away but set aside until the member has a chance to consult Acadian groups to see if a consensus can be achieved regarding the timing of the initiative.
Is there a solution or a compromise? We live in a nation founded on compromise, and that spirit exists in all cultures in Canada. Upon further consultation with the provinces, the Societe nationale de l'Acadie and perhaps other organizations representing the francophone and Acadian communities, we should be able to determine the timing. At the end of the day, and I think the hon. member would agree, the timing of this should be decided by those collective bodies.
Perhaps there is a negative implication to the motion. Again, it is perhaps better that the motion be tabled because a vote by parliament against it may send the wrong message to the public that parliamentarians do not support the motion in principle. That is simply not the case.
It would be prudent for us at this time to set the initiative aside until a broader consensus is built and to let the Acadian community make the decision for itself.