Discussion · Oral Questions
Rhéal Éloi Fortin Bloc Québécois
“I want the government to repeal the Clarity Act. It is undemocratic. The province holding a referendum should choose the question, and 50 percent plus one should be enough to win.”
“Mr. Speaker, not only does the Clarity Act give the federal government some kind of veto over the wording of the question, as though people are too thick to understand the question, but this undemocratic law also calls into question the principle of majority rule in a democracy. The Liberals want clarity. That is fine, let us be clear then. First, the government that initiates a referendum determines the question. That government alone. Second, 50% plus one is a clear majority. Will Ottawa understand these basic democratic principles and repeal its undemocratic Clarity Act?”
Official Hansard
Mr. Speaker, not only does the Clarity Act give the federal government some kind of veto over the wording of the question, as though people are too thick to understand the question, but this undemocratic law also calls into question the principle of majority rule in a democracy. The Liberals want clarity. That is fine, let us be clear then. First, the government that initiates a referendum determines the question. That government alone. Second, 50% plus one is a clear majority. Will Ottawa understand these basic democratic principles and repeal its undemocratic Clarity Act?