Mr. Chairman, I think if the suggestion was that this process was not a comprehensive process, that if this process had started on March 12, and had only included representations made to that date, then I think that there would be some reason to think that it is possible, perhaps, that the deal might be better if specific groups representing or purporting to represent women and all women of Canada were at the negotiating table.
The fact is, every person who was involved in the negotiations were duly elected. The only people that had specific mandates to represent specific groups of people were the aboriginal leaders. Aside from that, we had duly elected Members of the Legislature there, and members of the provincial and federal governments. I believe that the reports, the numerous reports that were made to provincial Legislatures and the federal government, before and since the Meech Lake Accord, were all taken into account in the course of these negotiations.
I think that it is important to point out that, for instance, if this process had taken another turn, perhaps we could have made a better deal. Perhaps if Preston Manning was negotiating for Alberta, we would have a very different deal, perhaps no deal at all. I think people have to take that into context. I do not mean this in any way as a threat, but, when we look at the process of the negotiations on this deal, I think that it is very important for people to realize that you cannot call it an accident of history, but the fact that Ontario had a Premier by the name of Bob Rae, interested and willing to work a few extra hours every session, and he made a significant difference in the development of this package.
The fact is, that Quebec not being there for the initial part of the negotiations affected the outcome of the negotiations. The fact is, the Premiers and the first Ministers allowing the territories, and the aboriginal organizations to come into the talks made a significant difference. If we suffered under the illusion that all of the same circumstances and the same players are going to be around for a second round, if we decide to reject this and hope for a better deal next time around.
I think that, when you stack it up against the odds, I would say the chances are slight because the players will change. The fact is, since the Meech Lake Accord, almost all of the major players of Meech have come and gone. It was with the advent of new people coming onto the political stage that made it possible for us to make the achievements we did.
By and large I would say I have not lost any sleep over it at all. I think that the gains made by aboriginal people, are overall significant, they are historic.