Réginald Bélair
Liberal
Mr. Belair:
Madam Speaker, I agree with my colleague from British Columbia that this is an extremely bad time to do away with this program. We are right in the middle of a constitutional crisis. This afternoon the Prime Minister pleaded with all members of this House to make an effort to recognize each other's values and traditions and also to recognize that there are minority languages in all of the provinces, be it English in Quebec or French in the other provinces.
It was an appeal to not only promote but also to protect those linguistic rights. The Constitution and the charter exist to protect those rights, but in some cases there is abuse. That is why we are concerned that employers-the federal government, its ministries, the provincial governments, corporations-would abuse the rights of individuals if this program is cancelled. It is almost synonymous to encouraging those groups that I have just mentioned to discriminate against groups or individuals in our society. The government chose a very bad time to cancel the program but hopefully it will rethink its decision and reinstate it.
Subtopic: ALLOTTED DAY (S. 0.81)-C0URT CHALLENGES PROGRAM