Marcel Massé

[Quebec Referendum, October 27th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I think the Prime Minister has indicated on a number of occasions this week that he is ready to continue to implement change and to consider further change.

What he has said about the distinct society and the right of veto are important announcements in terms of constitutional change. What is as important is that a number of provinces, including Newfoundland, have now passed resolutions on distinct society to indicate their respect for the province of Quebec and their desire that they continue to work in a strong and united Canada.

In terms of non-constitutional change, which is as important, we have indicated in the budget that we are ready to revise programs and jurisdictions in order to let the level of government which is most efficient do the work. We intend to continue in that direction.

[Referendum Campaign, October 27th, 1995]

Once again, Mr. Speaker, I think that no one will accuse our Prime Minister of not having made his thoughts clear, and of not having changed his way of thinking as he went along.

But I have a quote to offer to you, Mr. Speaker, and it is as follows:

"I am a Canadian. Who will doubt that? I was born a Canadian and we have been Canadians since 1636 in Quebec. I am very proud to be a Canadian."

In English, the quote is: "I am a Canadian. Who will doubt that? I was born a Canadian and we have been Canadians since 1636 in Quebec. I am very proud to be a Canadian". Who said this? Lucien Bouchard.

[Referendum Campaign, October 27th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I believe that history speaks for itself and that our Prime Minster has shown over his thirty years in politics that he is a democrat. He has expressed his opinions clearly, expressed his options clearly, and has never backtracked; he has never changed political affiliations during his career; he continues to believe in the values in which he believed in the past; he has always defended both Quebec and Canada, and continues to do so.

The arguments of the Bloc and the PQ will not do anything to change reality. The reality is that our Prime Minister has defended both Quebec and Canada well, and will continue to do so. A no is a no, one which will again work in favour of Quebecers, and Quebecers will come to see that it is in their interests to continue to make the reforms and changes they want within the federation, as they did during the first quiet revolution.

[Referendum Campaign, October 27th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, this day and the next few days are too important for us to waste our time responding to invective from the opposition. Their attitude is not very parliamentary.

On the fundamental issue, we have always said that we recognize the democratic right of Quebecers to vote in a referendum, but we have also clearly indicated our position and the fact that we believe the no side will win.

The Leader of the Opposition has indicated that if it is a no, he would not accept the outcome, so why does the hon. member for Roberval not talk to his own leader and tell him that his answer is not democratic because he does not accept the answer given by the people, while we believe our position is democratic, especially considering that 32 per cent of Quebecers have indicated that a yes vote means they very properly want the province of Quebec to remain a part of Canada.

[Referendum Campaign, October 27th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Roberval implies he has the right to make preambles in which he says things that are inaccurate, makes statements that do not correspond with the facts and indulges in innuendo directed at those involved in the campaign, as he just did in my case.

He seems to think we will be less than democratic as we explain our position. He should know better, considering his experience in the House.

We made it quite clear that we believe the no side will win and that Monday Quebecers will realize that separation is not the way to go, and that is why we are clearly indicating that with a no, we will be able to continue to implement reforms in Canada.

[Referendum Campaign, October 27th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, we should recall that a few months ago, the Leader of the Opposition said clearly: "If it is yes, it is sovereignty; if it is no, we will do it again".

The Official Opposition should not be surprised if we say: "We expect it to be no". That would be the right answer, for Canadians who are now in Montreal to show their solidarity to Quebecers and for Quebecers who have gained so much from Confederation.

[Bank Of Canada, October 26th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure that changes in the structure of the Bank of Canada would really have an effect on the referendum. However, I agree with the hon. member that the spirit of change which has been seen in the federal government very clearly over the last few years is an important element.

The Prime Minister, in his speech last night, talked about the acceptance of a distinct society. He talked about the right of veto and he indicated that the decentralization which was in the last budget and in the program review is an essential part of what this government wants to do.

We have to conclude that we have already started to change. That is a fact. The relationship between the federal government and the provinces is evolving all the time. We have clearly indicated our intention to change.

[Federal-Provincial Relations, October 26th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I can only agree with the comments of the member of the third party. He is underlining what is fundamental, that a no vote on Monday will mean change, a yes vote will mean rupture and disaster.

[Federal-Provincial Relations, October 26th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the government has done nothing but promote change over the last two years.

We have indicated not only our intention to create profound changes but, as I have said before, we have put together a program review that is reducing the size of the federal government by 20 per cent, recentreing the activities of the federal government to those that can discharge them best. We have applied a federalism principle in program review that will give to the provinces and the other levels of government the activities they can discharge more efficiently.

That is the proof, not only that we talk about change but that we implement it in this government.

[The Constitution, October 26th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, this question deserves very long discussion. I do not think today is the time for that.