Actually, Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if this is a point of order, or a point of privilege, but I will make my point, and let you decide. It has to do with Mr. Henry's Member's statement this morning.
Mr. Speaker, Cabinet has not discussed the constitutional package put out by the Constitutional Working Group. Therefore, the government has no position. In his member's statement this morning, Mr. Henry said, I believe, that this government has adopted a paternalistic approach to aboriginal people which will only divide aboriginal and non-aboriginals. He then said that the draft constitution is an example of this approach. Mr. Speaker, I would argue that this is misleading the public to allege that this position has been taken, particularly in light of Mr. Antoine's statement yesterday, which does reflect the position of this government.
Mr. Antoine in his statement yesterday pointed out that the draft constitution package highlighted one model, but it also proposed two others. It will hopefully inspire many further variations. He went on to say that "the Constitutional Working Group was not seeking comments on the one model only. It wanted to encourage full public discussion to develop an approach which would have widespread support and could be put forth for consideration by all residents and the Government of Canada."
Mr. Henry implied that the government had led the process of drafting the package presented by the Constitutional Working Group. When in fact the Constitutional Working Group was given its mandate, and reported to the Constitutional Development Steering Committee. The government is not a member of that committee, Mr. Henry is. The public is likely to believe from Mr. Henry's statement that this government is trying to push one of the models for a constitution proposed by the Constitutional Working Group, when it is not.
Further, Mr. Speaker, as a member of the government, I am offended by Mr. Henry's statement that government is irresponsible. If I heard it correctly, he said, "this government endorsed a constitution", and then went on to say, "this is totally irresponsible of government". Mr. Speaker, as I said, as a member of government, I take offence at being labelled irresponsible, especially when no government endorsement has been given on this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause