Mr. Speaker, you have no doubt noticed that all of our members' statements today are on the subject of rejecting intolerance in Canada.
My message is directed specifically to this minute minority that does not seem to understand the very foundations of democracy in Canada, where differences of opinion never justify reprehensible acts, be it a racial slur or violence.
There is no point in praising the merits of multiculturalism if we do not reject intolerance in our actions.
It is to be expected that there will be some differences of opinion in a democracy. In Canada, we may have even stronger reactions to certain problems in other parts of the world because they sometimes affect our family, our friends or our roots abroad.
The resulting divergent opinions must be respected, as is the case with those who express these opinions. We must reject, together, the actions of these few who are attacking our society through their unacceptable behaviour.