Stéphane Dion

[Reference To Supreme Court, February 17th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, with a very clear question, a clear majority and after proper negotiations within the legal framework, the country could break up.

We do not believe in that. We strongly believe that Quebeckers and other Canadians will stay together, united.

[Reference To Supreme Court, February 17th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, it has been said many times that what will be necessary is a clear expression that Quebeckers do not want to be Canadian any more.

We think Quebeckers would never say that unless the question was confused or the process was confused. We want to make sure that this will not happen.

[Reference To Supreme Court, February 17th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, on a number of occasions, the Conservative leader has said that, in an ambiguous situation, the federal and provincial governments should no doubt prevent Quebeckers from destroying Canada. This is the opposite of the remarks by the Bloc Quebecois and the Quebec premier, who are saying that they have the right to proclaim Quebec's independence unilaterally.

There is a fundamental question of law here. So who is right in legal terms, the leader of the Conservatives or the leader of the Bloc Quebecois?

[Reference To Supreme Court, February 17th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, there are numerous legal implications to secession. There are the Aboriginal people, to whom the Government of Canada has a fiduciary responsibility. There is the issue of the territories. There is the issue of the charter of rights. And the list goes on.

The Government of Canada asked what it felt were the most fundamental questions regarding the legality of a unilateral declaration of independence, and that is what we have asked the court to rule on.

[Reference To Supreme Court, February 16th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the court will give an opinion, which will be available for examination by all legal experts in Canada and around the world. I am sure that the aim of the court is to give an opinion that meets all the criteria of judicial jurisdiction.

[Reference To Supreme Court, February 16th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I will repeat the words of the former leader of the Bloc Quebecois, the Quebec premier. He said: “I consider the justices of the Supreme Court to be honest magistrates, who have at heart one of the essential values underlying the operation of a court of law, judicial independence”.

The prestige of the Supreme Court of Canada is recognized worldwide. We have no reason to think that the court will not do an honest and competent job, or lose sight of one of the values essential to a court of law: judicial independence.

[Reference To Supreme Court, February 16th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, for the response to that question, I would refer the Bloc Quebecois to the record of last week's question period.

[Reference To Supreme Court, February 16th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know why the Bloc Quebecois is again asking a question I answered last week.

At any rate, Mr. Fortier is now pleading his case before the court. The court is listening to his case, and that is where the situation stands as of today.

[Reference To Supreme Court, February 16th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, the Quebec premier stated that he considered the justices of the supreme court to be honest magistrates, who have at heart one of the essential values underlying the operation of a court of law, that is to say judicial independence.

So, the Bloc should respect judicial independence.

[Reference To Supreme Court, February 16th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, Alain Pellet has written and said many things, most of which would greatly embarrass the Bloc Quebecois. I will just ask that the Bloc show respect for the work being done by the court.

The court has work to do this week. Both sides will argue their case and all the noise and political uproar the Bloc can muster will not change a thing.