Mr. Speaker, 25 years ago today, Quebec held its first referendum on its political future.
Forever engraved in our memory is the image of René Lévesque trying to ease the pain of thousands of sovereignists by leading them into Gens du pays and, in his hoarse voice, telling them, “If I understand you correctly, you are saying, 'until the next time'.”
Since 1980, Quebec has continued to move forward. Remaining true to itself, it has grown in unity and confidence over the past 25 years. It has become a society that is even more open to the world, even more diversified and even more inclusive.
Despite the attempts to set them back, Quebeckers have never stopped progressing. Today, Quebec is more ready than ever to take charge of its destiny and to speak for itself within the community of nations.