Mr Speaker,

Today's debate, which the Bloc québécois has brought to this House, has long been fuelled by political actors for debatable purposes, for in so doing, they want above all to refuse to acknowledge the truth. That truth is that Canada is a federation that works. And it works because of our heritage; the heritage of a decentralized country; the heritage of a federation that recognizes the realities and specificities of our provincial and federal partners.

All regions, all provinces, Mr Speaker, have benefited from the decentralized qualities of the Canadian federation. And those qualities have more generally contributed to the vitality and development of all Canadians, especially Quebecers. I am proud to take part in today's debate and to take the opportunity to remind the Bloc once again that it is wrong to depict the Canadian federation as a straitjacket that is thwarting Quebec’s development.

Indeed, I do not understand why the Bloc is so stubbornly belabouring themes that do not even need to be questioned. It is obvious to everyone that Quebecers live and flourish in a province which has its own specificity, allowing a Francophone majority to affirm itself and have its exceptional identity respected. It is also obvious that this society, which is so rich and so special, allows for the presence and development of multiethnicity and plural identities. What a success story, Mr Speaker. But to what can such an accomplishment be attributed?

If we buy into the Bloc's logic, we arrive at conclusions that disturb me, Mr Speaker. If you buy into the Bloc's credo, you reject all the achievements that make Canada a decentralized federation based on respect for differences, as it was founded in 1867. If you share the Bloc's ideas, you are admitting that since then, the exceptional quality of the language, culture and institutions of Quebecers has never found its place within our federal system. In short, this means admitting that respect for differences and respect for the spirit of federalism are illusions that have nothing to do with Canada's evolution and Quebecers' development.

So should we ignore the facts, Mr Speaker? Should we ignore history? We have such a striking reality before our eyes, but we still need to debate it? I ask again, for what reason? For it is clearly so difficult to sum up in a single word the diversity of Quebec society and Canadian society. Quebecers have been marked throughout history by a will constantly reaffirmed by generations of men and women to promote and defend their rights and preserve their cultural and linguistic heritage. They have succeeded brilliantly.

So should we contradict that? Quebecers also belong to a community that has strong tools for development, progress and prosperity. So should we contradict that? And yet let us recall, Mr Speaker, the words of Mr Landry, who admitted himself that Quebecers had obtained a remarkable degree of development and vitality because they had the legal and financial tools similar to those of a nation!

I believe instead, and I am convinced of this, Mr Speaker, that it is precisely the Canadian federal system that has allowed the vitality and development of Quebecers and their cultural, linguistic and institutional richness. Our federation enjoys extensive flexibility. Let us not deny the achievements of our history and our traditions. Let us not refute the intentions of the founders of the Canadian federation. They were aware of the need to recognize the diversity, differences and specificities of all partners of the federation. And we owe that intention to the very presence of Quebecers themselves.

Quebecers fully participated in the founding of Canada, and supported it knowing full well that their specificity and their differences would be respected within it. And that flexibility, which is particular to a federation, has served not only Quebecers. It has also served all of Canada, for every province, every territory, every region has been able to benefit from it and contribute to it through their own vitality and development. Within a federal framework, Quebecers have been able to safeguard their economic development and affirm their specificity; and that vitality has not been limited within their own borders, but has spread throughout the globe, through the spirit of a unique culture, and has won the recognition and the respect of the entire world.

I admit, and this is reflected in the Government's decisions and actions, that our federation is obviously a work in progress, as indeed any political system is, be it federal or unitary. It would be ridiculous to assert that a federal system is established so that it can no longer evolve!

Indeed, how can it not evolve in response to circumstances and the many changes that come our way? How, Mr Speaker, can we not recognize the significance of new issues that emerge that may affect the quality of life of Canadians and Quebecers, issues that we must address in an increasingly competitive world?

It is that inevitable evolution that the Government wanted to respond to through the concept of federalism of openness. You have already seen that new approach in action, Mr Speaker, based on respect for differences and the spirit of federalism, as Canada's founders wanted. Just look, for example, at Quebec's participation at UNESCO; at the objective we have set to restore fiscal balance; and at our commitment to respect areas of provincial jurisdiction.

Through this concept of federalism of openness, we wanted to ensure that our heritage would be forever preserved. By adopting federalism of openness, we have sought and still seek to ensure that the spirit of federalism remains, that it continues to serve the needs of a decentralized federation, and that, accordingly, the full vitality and development of Quebecers and Canadians is assured.

Through federalism of openness, Mr Speaker, I wanted to respond to the will of Quebecers and Canadians. To their will to strengthen our federation, by working more closely with our partners, fully respecting the powers and jurisdictions of each. Such cooperation also means a profound respect for our partners and a will to draw on the experience and expertise of all, for the common good.

The vast majority of Quebecers are rightly proud of their Quebec identity, and of their Canadian identity as well. But what they want above all, like the majority of all Canadians, is for their governments to work in the common interest of all our fellow citizens, and agree to forge a genuine partnership throughout the country, based on solidarity and respect for our diversity. Canada can work harmoniously if it is based on consultation and cooperation by all orders of government.
We can see that this whole debate fuelled by the Bloc has nothing to do with the words and intentions of the Government and the citizens of Canada. We should instead look more closely at the achievements of the Canadian federation and the spirit of federalism, as an inclusive and evolving principle of the well-being and development of not only Quebecers, but of all Canadians.

Mr Speaker, our government is keenly aware of the role that Quebecers have played in building our country. And they obviously continue to play a key role within the Canadian federation; by drawing on their strengthens and their many assets; by giving free rein to a creativity recognized worldwide; by contributing to a Canadian political union through their specificity and their enriching culture; and the contribution of their specificities to the development of the country as a whole.

Thank you.