Marcel Massé

[National Unity, November 30th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, when we indicated that we were going to look at the results of the referendum and deal with them, we also indicated that we were going to look at the real solutions to present day problems. The real solutions are not the splitting of Canada into various parts, even though the Reform Party sometimes gives me the feeling that this would be its preferred option.

The best way to prevent that from happening is clearly to give good government. We have won the referendum, not lost it. The best way is to deal with the problems that presently exist, not start planning for the worst.

[National Unity, November 30th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, we know that Canada will not go down this path because we are taking the necessary steps and we will continue to take them so that Canada remains a united country.

The group on unity, as I have mentioned, is looking at present at all kinds of constructive ways in which we can deal with the differences that exist among the various parts of the country. We do not want to underline these differences. We prefer to underline the points that are common all across Canada, among all Canadians. The solutions we will bring are solutions that will help us to remain together.

[Renewal Of Canadian Federalism, November 29th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary. Quebec has been demanding a distinct society clause for a long time, for years, for decades. It has been doing so to achieve a very important objective: to provide Quebecers with the security afforded by the recognition, by the federal government and the Constitution, of the distinctiveness of the language spoken by the majority of them, which is different from the language used in the rest of Canada, the uniqueness of their culture, and the particular traditions of their civil code.

The Prime Minister's motion finally gives Quebec what it has been demanding for years, that is recognition by Canada as a whole, since Parliament is the only place which represents all Canadians from every region. The Canadian Parliament has been asked by the Prime Minister to pass this resolution giving Quebec the recognition it has been demanding for years.

The fact that most premiers are now in agreement with respect to the distinct society shows once again that Canadians are now-

[Renewal Of Canadian Federalism, November 29th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, we had an example of phoney studies with the Le Hir reports, need I remind you. So, if the opposition and the Parti Quebecois need a refresher on good examples of bad studies, they have the very thing right in their own bailiwick.

As for our committee, we will continue to examine ways to resolve the federation's problems, because our goal is not to destroy Canada, but to build it. This is what the majority of Canadians and Quebecers have asked us to do, and, because we believe in democracy, we will continue to try to build Canada.

[Renewal Of Canadian Federalism, November 29th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the official opposition is obviously obsessed with the word "phoney", which it must surely get from its own use of the word or from the example it provided with the regional commissions in Quebec, which were really phoney commissions.

The Bloc's questions are also becoming increasingly phoney, because the answer has been provided three times. The committee plans to submit its recommendations to the Prime Minister by Christmas. A few weeks are not going to bother us. However, in our report, we will clearly have to consider other options for solving the federation's current problems in connection with programs, activities, roles and jurisdictions.

[Renewal Of Canadian Federalism, November 29th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I think Canadians from all regions of the country have said they want to keep Canada united.

When Canadians from all parts of the country went to Montreal to express their views, they were representing views from all over Canada, from British Columbia to Alberta to Ontario to the maritimes. Canadians are united on that goal to keep Canada together. They want the federal government to find the ways to solve existing problems.

It is normal that many views would be offered, some of which are contradictory, on the means by which Canada can be kept together. However in the present instance there is no doubt that we have the support of Canadians for the measures the Prime Minister has introduced.

[Renewal Of Canadian Federalism, November 29th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I would recommend that the official opposition come to grips with the fact that there was also divided opinion on the yes in Quebec, and that the yes side lost. When there is talk of divided opinions, the main place there is any division at this time is in Quebec, but it is also clear that the no side did win and that Quebecers-and this is a decision that you must accept because it is a democratic one-have clearly indicated that they want major changes, but within Canada.

[Renewal Of Canadian Federalism, November 29th, 1995]

On the contrary, Mr. Speaker. In connection with the distinct society, you have seen a large number of Canadian premiers, including those from the west, Mr. Filmon in particular, expressing their agreement. The Prime Minister has indicated that we would start with a House of Commons resolution on these questions, since we can do no more from the constitutional point of view at present, but that it was our wish to enshrine it in the Constitution.

What is happening with the distinct society question will also happen with the veto. The Prime Minister had promised during the closing week of the campaign that he would take steps to reinstate the Quebec veto lost by René Lévesque. We are going to reinstate it; this is the way to resolve the problems that exist in Canada. We have a committee looking at the other problems of the federation at this time, and it will be coming out with some conclusions.

[Renewal Of Canadian Federalism, November 29th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, our committee has approached the problems of unity from the perspective that we stayed together for 128 years and always managed to solve our problems, and also from the perspective that the French language was best able to thrive-and I saw this personally in the course of my career-while we were part of Canada.

The position on distinct society, which is gaining acceptance and which will be included in the resolution of the House of Commons, is also a recognition of aspects of distinct society which developed in the Parliament of Canada and in the Canadian provinces. I repeat, it developed within Canada. The changes that are necessary can and should be made within Canada. In fact, that is the message sent to all Canadians, including the official opposition, by the vote on October 30.

[Renewal Of Canadian Federalism, November 29th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, in our committee, we consider the interests of Canada, including those of Quebec. The ministers express their views on the basis of their knowledge, experience and judgment, which is entirely normal.

My conclusion with respect to distinct society and the veto is that we are clearly on the right track towards making substantial changes in the way the Canadian federation operates.