Mr. Speaker, I rise on a question of privilege.
During oral question period, the Prime Minister accused me, along with my colleagues, of having become the defenders of terrorists.
He said, and I quote, “Therefore, it was not imprudent on the part of the government, in the context of our fight against terrorism, to side with a nation that was attacked and not become the defenders of terrorists, as the Bloc Quebecois has”.
I am raising this question of privilege because this is, in fact, an attack on our reputation, not only my own but that of all members of the Bloc Quebecois.
From the very beginning of this crisis, after the terrible events of September 11, we have raised the necessity of dealing with the terrorists, but in so doing, to quote the Prime Minister, “setting the example of democracy, not becoming like them, that is not respecting international conventions”.
The point we are raising today is that the terrorists must, of course, be attacked, but democracy and international conventions must still be respected.
I am therefore calling upon the Prime Minister to withdraw his statement. This is an attack on myself personally, on the members of the Bloc Quebecois, and I would say also against parliament and against logic.