Letter to the editor

A Canada - Strong, United and Free

It is my view that we as a country have matured to the point where we were able to put forward a motion that recognizes ‘the Quebecois’ as a nation within a united Canada.

It is a time for reconciliation and nation building. Despite all the nay saying, I believe that the Prime Minister used his best judgment to not only make the best tactical decision by adding the four words, “within a united Canada” to the Bloc motion, but also the right substantive decision.

For too long we have misunderstood and misinterpreted each other and kept far too great a distance between us. It is time to narrow the gap and to start accepting and recognizing each other for who we are.

I regret that we were pulled into the debate by the Bloc motion, but at the same time it provided the opportunity to face the issue head on. Let us place all of this in context. The debate was on a motion. As the Prime Minister indicated, it was not a piece of legislation, it was not a constitutional amendment, it was not a legal text and it was not talking about the province of Quebec. It is simply a statement of recognition and a gesture of reconciliation.

The word ‘nation’ is used in a cultural and sociological sense. The Quebecois are a group of people with a language, culture, a history and an identity. It is a matter of recognizing the Quebecois for who they are and the important role they play and have played in the history of this country.

What the Bloc desired is not recognition of the Quebecois within a united Canada, but rather from a point of separation and the formation of another country. There is only one country and that is Canada. As the Prime Minister stated, the world doesn’t need more countries. It needs more countries like Canada that can reconcile differences and live peacefully and harmoniously.

It was truly a historic moment when all of the Federalist parties were able to unite and rise above partisan politics while at the same time isolating the Bloc. The whole rationale for the Bloc’s existence has been diminished, and perhaps sooner than later they should be gone altogether. The interests of Quebec can be strongly promoted by a Federalist party, but within the country of Canada - strong, united and free.

“signed”

Ed Komarnicki, MP
Souris-Moose Mountain
Parliamentary Secretary to the
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration