Quebec's Future  That is his view, but we agree on the format. It is normal for a political family to hold different views. If the hon. member needs a course on international law, he should ask his colleague, the member for Beauharnois—Salaberry, provided the latter is prepared to say the same things he wrote not so long ago.

Quebec's Future  Mr. Speaker, it is recognized in a democracy that major decisions must be made within a legal framework. I would ask the hon. member to give me one example of a major collective decision made in a democracy outside a legal framework. Since we are referring to Mr. Ryan, here is what he wrote on May 27 of last year: “The federal government will feel compelled, as it did in 1980 and 1995—even though this was not sufficiently pointed out—to refuse to promise ahead of time to recognize a result obtained through an equivocal question.

Fiscal Dividend  The Canadian government fulfils its responsibilities and it will do so in conjunction with the provinces in the social field, for this requires us to work together. We have one of the most generous social systems in the world, and if it is successful, it is because we are working together.

Fiscal Dividend  Mr. Speaker, Canada is one of the most decentralized federations in the world.

Quebec's Sovereignty  Absolutely, Mr. Speaker, and common sense, openness and mutual respect mean that we should undertake negotiations on secession only if we have the assurance that it is clearly what people want, that they want to stop being Canadians and become part of an independent Quebec, through a clear and legal process, free of confusion and tricks.

Quebec's Sovereignty  Mr. Speaker, the results of a poll published in today's Globe and Mail confirm what we already know, namely that two out of three Quebeckers are deeply attached to Quebec and to Canada. We want to assure our fellow Quebeckers that they will never lose their country through tricks and confusion.

Quebec's Sovereignty  Mr. Speaker, Quebeckers have already expressed in various ways what they feel would be a clear question. According to a poll conducted in February 1995, 73% of Quebeckers felt that the referendum question should be “Are you for or against Quebec separating from the rest of Canada”?

Quebec's Sovereignty  Mr. Speaker, speaking of confusion, let us look at the process set up by Mr. Parizeau. Barely a few weeks before the last referendum, 53% of Quebeckers believed that sovereignty could be achieved only after reaching an agreement with Canada. Yet, Mr. Parizeau's objective was to achieve sovereignty as quickly as possible, with or without an agreement with Canada, a partnership proposal which Mr.

Amendment To The Constitution Of Canada (Newfoundland)  Mr. Speaker, since we will be working together for the next two days, I will not respond to the slander that we have just heard. However, I ask the member to show us if he can any international legislation that recognizes as a fundamental right the control of publicly funded schools by churches.

Amendment To The Constitution Of Canada (Newfoundland)  Mr. Speaker, well I hesitate to continue the debate because it is going round in circles. Almost all texts on democracy and almost every democracy I know of have constitutions and charters for the very purpose of protecting minorities. It often happens that referendums, even when there is a majority, are not followed by legislation, because the majority often appears uncertain about the change contemplated.

Amendment To The Constitution Of Canada (Newfoundland)  He is adding another right, it is not the same.

Amendment To The Constitution Of Canada (Newfoundland)  Mr. Speaker, I am happy that the leader of the Reform Party, the leader of the official opposition, and also the Bloc Quebecois agree with the government to support the amendment. I would like to comment on what the hon. member said on three points. What the Government of Canada is saying is that there should always be a balance between the extent of a change and the extent of the support it receives.

Amendment To The Constitution Of Canada (Newfoundland)  moved: WHEREAS section 43 of the Constitution Act, 1982 provides that an amendment to the Constitution of Canada may be made by proclamation issued by the Governor General under the Great Seal of Canada where so authorized by resolutions of the Senate and House of Commons and of the legislative assembly of each province to which the amendment applies; NOW THEREFORE the House of Commons resolves that an amendment to the Constitution of Canada be authorized to be made by proclamation issued by His Excellency the Governor General under the Great Seal of Canada in accordance with the schedule hereto.

Calgary Declaration  Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday, our disagreement was about the notion of special status. The Calgary declaration makes it clear that this is not special status. But, since we are talking about confusion, take the 1995 referendum question.

Calgary Declaration  This question mentioned an agreement and 43% of voters did not know what agreement was being referred to. It was the agreement between the three parties, signed by those parties. Only 10% of voters were aware of the existence of the bill mentioned in the question and, finally, 49% of those who voted yes thought that Quebec would become sovereign—