Lucienne Robillard

[Referendum Campaign, October 24th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, should there be a no vote in the referendum, you will see this country continue the transformation it began 30 or more years ago. And judging by how the people of Quebec have fared within this country over the past 30 years, we have every right to be proud of who and what we Quebecers are. This has been accomplished within the Canadian federation. We have always played a lead role in that federation. And after the no, we shall still be there, continuing to transform this country.

[English]

[Referendum Campaign, October 24th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I have never heard a worse example of twisting someone else's words. Never.

Clyde Wells has acknowledged that Quebec is a distinct society. Mike Harris has acknowledged that Quebec is a distinct society. Why twist these facts on the eve of such a serious choice, a choice that concerns all of us, Quebecers and other Canadians both? What is going on? What is going on with the yes side? Are they running short of arguments for selling us on their option of Quebec's separation?

This week is a week of great significance and we must reflect upon the meaning of this vote, and not allow Quebecers to think that they will still wake up Canadian the next morning. This is where the importance of the October 30 vote lies. I would like to see the yes side at least have the courage to tell Quebecers openly what their option is on October 30.

[Referendum Campaign, October 24th, 1995]

Yes, Mr. Speaker, we have a very serious decision to make. It is serious because on October 30, we decide whether or not we will break up Canada. That is what we are all going to do on October 30.

When I hear the hon. member for Roberval, it sounds like he is saying: "Madam Minister, put the distinct society in the Constitution and we will forget about our referendum". I do not think that is what he meant. But the fact is that between now and October 30, we want Quebecers to think carefully. We know we have a distinct society in Quebec, and we are proud of it. We are also proud to be Canadians, and that is why we will say no on October 30.

[Referendum Campaign, October 24th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, which distinct society is the hon. member for Roberval talking about? Is he talking about the distinct society of Meech Lake, which Mr. Parizeau said at the time was an empty shell? Is he talking about the distinct society of Charlottetown, which the hon. member and the Bloc Quebecois refused to endorse?

Is he talking about that distinct society? Is he talking about the distinct society Mr. Parizeau referred to last week, when he said: "To hell with distinct society, I want the separation of Quebec"? What is he talking about? We on this side are willing to state quite clearly that Quebecers are a distinct society in Canada.

[Referendum Campaign, October 24th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House our position is quite clear. We have always said, in fact the Prime Minister himself has said that he supported the concept of distinct society in the past, he supports

it today and is prepared to support it tomorrow. The Prime Minister of Canada himself made that statement in this House. Is that not clear enough?

[Bell Canada, September 29th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, Bell Canada employees come under the Canada labour code and we are doing our utmost to ensure that their rights are protected in compliance with that code.

[Quebec Referendum, September 21st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, we have always said and we still maintain that the choice the people of Quebec are about to make is a major decision, a serious decision regarding their future. It is not like choosing a political party in an election. This is not the kind of decision about which Quebecers will be able to change their minds four or five years from now and say: "We made a mistake; we want to be a part of Canada again".

This choice is very important, not only for us today but also for generations to come. That is why we care so much about the process currently under way in Quebec. We are going to put all our energies into providing accurate information to the people of Quebec.

[Quebec Referendum, September 19th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I wonder who is obsessed with hiding the facts. They want to hide what is basically at stake in this referendum, the separation of Quebec. They want to hide the consequences of this referendum, should the outcome be Yes, the economic consequences first of all, and the political and legal consequences.

As well, they are trying to hide studies that would be unfavourable to the option of the Parti Quebecois and the Bloc Quebecois. Who is acting democratically in this country?

[English]

[Quebec Referendum, September 19th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata certainly did not pay attention to the statements I made in my own riding. I was in the Lower St. Lawrence the day after the question was tabled in the Quebec National Assembly, and I said then that we were dealing with a question that was ambiguous, and I still say so today. And that is why the "No" coalition will work very hard during this referendum campaign to make the stakes clear to Quebecers, and the stakes are the separation of Quebec.

[Quebec Referendum, September 18th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, who can claim to be real Quebecers? After reading the bill's preamble, which says that we will lose our identity as Quebecers if we stay in Canada, I wonder who they think they are. I myself am a proud Quebecer and I will vote No.