Calgary Declaration  Mr. Speaker, as elected members from Quebec, we have a duty to consult our fellow citizens, and we are doing so on an agreement that will enable us to show that Quebeckers and other Canadians share the same values and want to remain united in this country.

Calgary Declaration  Mr. Speaker, consultations are being held and they are going well, and that is precisely what is annoying the Bloc Quebecois. They would dearly love to see the consultations fail, but the problem for them is that things are going well. But I repeat that the last referendum question was deceptive.

Quebec's Partition  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for giving me the opportunity to explain to him for the umpteenth time that Quebec society is not the problem. It is a great society that must stay within Canada. The problem is not Quebec nationalism, which is an open kind of nationalism that can help all Canadians.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, I want to say to the hon. member that I share most of his point of view. I will ask him if he is in agreement with the following statement. I want to say that it is normal that there is a lot of suspicion throughout the country. Our country has been in this debate for 30 years now.

Supply  He made no mention of scholarly papers like the one prepared by professor Benoît Pelletier explaining why the declaration is good for Quebeckers. No, it is too long. I have little to say. I would like to point out some fairly elementary mistakes. Earlier, the hon. member said that only 4 per cent of Albertans were aware of the Calgary declaration.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, it is hard to come up with a speech more deplorable than the one we have just heard on this subject. Choosing passages that suit the member from documents supporting the Calgary declaration in general terms—

Supply  Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. It is a legitimate question, but I do not think the concern is well advised. It has been very clear since the beginning that with an interpretive clause, first, you cannot override what is clear in the Constitution. It is something which helps to interpret the Constitution when the Constitution is not clear.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, I will start by answering the last comment. Should it become a legal text enshrined in the Constitution, in itself it would not confer any powers on anyone. However, it would reflect the values on which this country must build. One of these values is certainly ensuring that each constituent part of this country can develop on the basis of its own identity and particular values.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, I would like first of all to thank the member for Edmonton—Strathcona and also the member for Dauphin—Swan River for their initiative today and to explain why the Government of Canada will support this motion from the opposition. Canadian unity is not a partisan issue.

Quebec's Partition  Mr. Speaker, this is typical of the separatist leaders: when they do not know what to say about something, they try to run down their opponent.

Calgary Declaration  Mr. Speaker, I believe this is wishful thinking on the part of the member. Basically, the Calgary declaration reflects great Canadian values, a profound respect for diversity and support for equality. Except for the separatist party, all parties in this House have agreed to it.

Calgary Declaration  Mr. Speaker, what is definitely not enough for Quebec is this narrow minded plan to split Quebec from Canada. Quebeckers want to stay in Canada and they are quite right.

Amendment To The Constitution Of Canada (Quebec)  moved: WHEREAS the Government of Quebec has indicated that it intends to establish French and English linguistic school boards in Quebec; AND WHEREAS the National Assembly of Quebec has passed a resolution authorizing an amendment to the Constitution of Canada; AND WHEREAS the National Assembly of Quebec has reaffirmed the established rights of the English-speaking community of Quebec, specifically the right, in accordance with the law of Quebec, of members of that community to have their children receive their instruction in English language educational facilities that are under the management and control of that community and are financed through public funds; AND WHEREAS section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees to citizens throughout Canada rights to minority language instruction and minority language educational facilities under the management and control of linguistic minorities and provided out of public funds; AND 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.

Child Support  Mr. Speaker, there is no question of commenting on the so-called anonymous sources, but it is very good news that the Government of Quebec is ready to negotiate, because so are we.

Child Support  Mr. Speaker, this is a question the hon. member would do better to ask her own party.