Jean Chrétien

[Social Program Reform, February 6th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I must say that the Minister of Human Resources Development has done a terrific job and that he has the confidence of all his cabinet colleagues. Never has there been so much consultation on a fundamental reform that will bring about changes in Canada.

Naturally, the Bloc Quebecois will promote the status quo. But these changes are under way, and the committee is expected to table its report at three o'clock this afternoon. So, it is a bit much to ask a minister to prepare for such changes before the committee report has even been tabled. To adopt such a stance in this House does not show much respect for the democratic process.

[Veterans Appeal Board, December 14th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I have looked at the list of order in council appointments. We have made more than 650. I checked and I do not know more than 40 of them. I have not done very well regarding Liberals because I know only 40 of them.

The others I did not know but they were recommended and chosen. I hope that the day has not come in Canada where because some day one has the good fortune of offering one's services to serve Canada as a member of Parliament that one will disqualify oneself forever to serve on a board anywhere in the land.

[Veterans Appeal Board, December 14th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, competence.

[Immigration And Refugee Board, December 13th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I know very well that the policy of accepting some refugees in Canada does not please the Reform Party. Canada has always been more able than any other country to help people in very difficult positions around the world.

I do not want to do that, in conformity with the laws that this Parliament has passed. If there is some need for change in the legislation, the House of Commons will have an occasion to study it and make recommendations.

This government in a year and one month has shown that we have the proper balance. There are some incidents. It is not easy to come to a conclusion in cases like that.

We have appointed members with their own convictions and they try to do their best. In this case apparently there might have been some error made and the person decided to resign. He has the right to resign and somebody else will be appointed. We want to maintain a policy that permits the people of the world, when they are in very difficult situations, to know there are some people who are concerned about human beings, the Canadian government.

[Collège Militaire Royal De Saint-Jean, December 13th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, flexible federalism means that when there is an agreement, the other government respects it. That is the basis of the good relations which should exist in Canada.

On July 19, we signed an agreement in good faith with the Government of Quebec and it was hailed as a very good agreement. The people of Saint-Jean were happy. But since a new government was elected in Quebec, there is no more agreement. If the Government of Quebec wants to abide by the agreement we signed with the previous government, there will be no problem. If it wants to reopen the issue, well, what can I say? The people of Saint-Jean will suffer the consequences.

[Draft Bill On Quebec Sovereignty, December 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec federalists have the right to have a say in the wording of the question, so that it is plain and clear. The rest of Canada is also entitled to a question that is plain and clear.

Just think of the number of people who are presently refusing to participate because of the ambiguity, the trickiness; they are trying to trick people, they are using gimmicks. The Conseil du patronat, the Quebec chamber of commerce, the Quebec farmers' union, the Quebec manufacturers' association, and every federalist party in Quebec-and even Mario Dumont-do not want to participate because they do not want gimmicks, they want the truth, period.

[Draft Bill On Quebec Sovereignty, December 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I made myself quite clear: all we want is that a referendum be held as soon as possible, with a plain and clear question.

We all know what is going to happen. That is why they are trying to dilute their proposal with 1,600 words, when the honest question to ask would be: "Do you want to separate from Canada, yes or no?"

I do not even have to answer a hypothetical question. There is no doubt in my mind that Canada will win. Come on!

[Draft Bill On Quebec Sovereignty, December 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, turning up the volume does not make it a good question.

Mr. Speaker, when appointing the Bélanger-Campeau Commission, the leader of the government at the time consulted the opposition. Everyone was fairly represented. It was not 13 against 2.

Second, among the statements in the 1,645 words the draft bill contains, one says there will be an economic union with Canada. That is not up to Quebec to decide. Canada will decide. It says they will keep their Canadian citizenship. This is not up to the Government of Quebec to decide. The Parliament of Canada will decide. It says they will use Canadian currency. The Parliament of Canada will determine interest rates, not the Government of Quebec.

So in a bill like this one where all the decisions will be made elsewhere, people should at least have a say, before concluding that one can become independent and stay in Canada at the same time.

I am glad to see there has been some progress. This is the first time the word separation was used by the hon. member for Roberval. Bravo. At last the truth is out.

[Draft Bill On Quebec Sovereignty, December 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, we are only asking them to be honest with the people. In 1980, all observers accused the government, and especially Mr. Morin, who was in charge of the step-by-step process, of hiding the question in a maze of 114 words.

The government's draft bill uses 1,645 words to try and hide the truth from Quebecers. The truth is, they are all separatists but do not want to be labelled as such. They are all for separation but say they support sovereignty. Be honest. Say what you are. Say you are separatists and want separation. The people will vote, and Canada will survive!

[Draft Bill On Quebec Sovereignty, December 9th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, in addition to the opposition in Quebec City, there is also the government right here, the federal Liberal Party, as well as a steadily increasingly number of people in Quebec who realize that this is not a normal process, that the dice are loaded and that 13 out of 15 committee members will be appointed by the government.

We have a "yes" committee, financed by a government that is not financing any "no" committees. They do not need any committees or studies. Let them ask an honest question, no stratagems to confuse people but an honest question: Do you want to separate from Canada, yes or no? Not more than two lines, and the answer will be clear: Canada will win!