Mr. Speaker, Quebec is not the only place where October brings back dark memories of a federation that claimed to be a friend sending in its army to march through the streets in the heavy boots of repression.
Three years ago today, on October 1, in a bid to suppress the referendum on self-determination organized by the legitimate government of Catalonia, Spain disgraced itself by resorting to violence.
By backing Spain, Canada is hedging its bets for dealing with Quebec's independence movement, which refuses to give up because, of the two nations, Quebec is the one that has no reason to be ashamed.
To President Puigdemont, living in exile, and President Torra, who was deposed by Spain, I extend my friendship and my pledge to ensure that each nation gets to exercise its right to self-determination and express its own culture in its own language, reflecting its own values.
Long live free Catalonia.