Mr. Speaker, I may say that a one hour debate on a subject such as this is so little. There were many other members who wanted to speak.
I would like to make one very important point in answer to the member for Mercier.
The most important point of all is in response to the hon. member for Mercier, to whom I would say that the key words of the oath that I propose are that we are united as Canadians by the five great principles of the charter, which are as follows, and I quote:
—equality of opportunity, freedom of speech, democracy, basic human rights and the rule of law.
Whether you are a Canadian from Quebec, an Acadian, someone living in Alberta, or are of Greek, English or French ancestry, we are all Canadians; we are a people united by the five principles contained in the charter. We are Canadians.
As Canadians, we believe in the principles contained in the charter. It is that simple. Therein lies our strength, therein lies our tolerance, and therein lies our pride. All the world understands this.