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Debates of the Senate, June 8, 1998 [Translation] 2. National Unity 2.1 Erosion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism Hon. Gerald J. Comeau: Honourable senators, according to news reports, Preston Manning, Lucien Bouchard and Gilles Duceppe are proposing a ménage à trois so that they can better plan the future of Quebec. For those Quebecers who are not familiar with Mr. Manning, this is a man who fought against the Meech Lake Accord and led a campaign against Quebec in the last federal election. This same Mr. Manning wants to eliminate the protection to the francophone and Acadian communities in Canada which are in minority situations. Messrs Bouchard and Duceppe are making a mistake by supporting Preston Manning's position and the regressive future he envisages for Canada' minorities. It is therefore essential for Quebecers to maintain the support of minorities they have always been known for. I would like to read some comments made by Mr. Manning's spokesman, Ezra Levant, pointing out the reasons for supporting the YES side in the last referendum. I will read them in Mr. Levant's mother tongue, so as to avoid any translation errors. [English] Eliminate bilingualism and multiculturalism. With Quebec gone, the rationale for bilingualism and multiculturalism would go, too. All of a sudden, anglophones could get a job in the foreign service and the civil service. No more translating every document. Say no to other special interest groups. Is it any wonder that Canada has so many special interest groups? After all, they see Quebec's payoff for being a constant nag. If we kicked out Quebec, we might then have the fortitude to tackle Canada's other ethnic separatists: Natives demanding their "First Nations." Next would be the National Action Committee on the Status of Women. Then the radical environmentalist groups. Goodbye lobbyists. End the corruption of Parliament. For decades, Quebec's largest export to Ottawa has been politicians who bring old-style patronage to Parliament. Stop the plunder of the west. Without whining separatists to appease, we'd be able to stop resource grabs like 1981's National Energy Policy. Trade barriers would fall. We Albertans have always loved free trade. A YES vote means no more subsidies to Quebec; remaining obstacles to outside investment could be removed. Air Canada could relocate. Canada's "national" airline is headquartered in Montreal. So is Canadian National Railways, although the bulk of CN's business is in Western Canada. [Translation] I therefore urge Quebecers to examine Mr. Manning's position and to ask themselves this last question: Is this the future you see for Canada? Absolutely not. Can you respect leaders who do not respect minorities and who do so little to support the aspirations of the people of Quebec? [English]
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