Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also rise to speak in support of the National Unity Resolution. I would also like to start first by commending the work of the Special Committee on National Unity. They did, I think, a fine job in a fairly short period of time on what is a very important issue.
Mr. Speaker, the resolution they have come up with is a distinct improvement on the Calgary Declaration. Calgary Declaration was a good starting point, but the message I got from the people when I had a constituency meeting on this issue is reflected in this document; that northern and aboriginal issues had to be better reflected; and the resolution had to, in fact, go from coast to coast to coast and not just east-west.
The one comment that I heard in my constituent's meeting that has stuck in my mind is that this is the latest constitutional vehicle before the Canadian people. It is the vehicle that we now have before us that we have to take down the constitutional road and see if, in fact, we can translate the fine audible sentiment I have heard around this House, about what a great country Canada is and how proud we are of the fact to be Canadian and to be northerners.
Translate that into a workable, and hopefully final constitutional arrangement. Those of us from the western territory know exactly how difficult the constitutional arrangement can be to reach. We have been plugging at it for 20 years and we still have work to do. Mr. Speaker, I fully support this motion, and I hope in fact it will be a step closer towards a resolution to this problem in this constitutional arrangement that is much needed.
I, as well, do not want to see Canada split. I have in fact, relatives in Quebec, and I would like to be able to visit them all as Canadians. Mr. Speaker, I have heard many fine words today from all points of the compass and from all perspectives, but all saying the same thing. I think we have much to gain by this process. If we do not do it right, much to lose. So, I commend this special committee and I will be giving this motion my full support. Thank you.
--Applause