“Quebec's legislature voted to reject the Prime Minister's claim that a referendum needs more than 50% plus one to pass. Quebec decides its own future. Will the Prime Minister respect that?”

“Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Quebec National Assembly unanimously condemned the Prime Minister for his authoritarian statement that 50% of the votes cast plus one would not be enough in a referendum. It reaffirmed its support for Quebec’s Bill 99, which defines a clear majority as 50% plus one, just like all democratic votes around the world. It declared that no parliament or government may impose constraint on the democratic will of the Quebec people to determine their own future. Does the Prime Minister understand Quebec’s message, and will he respect the foundations of democracy?”

“Quebec leaders oppose the Prime Minister's Clarity Act. He is acting against democracy. I want the Liberals to tell him to cancel this law.”

“Mr. Speaker, Quebec’s elected officials have condemned the Prime Minister’s drift toward authoritarianism with his Clarity Act. I would like to draw his attention to a reaction that might inspire him. The leader of the Quebec Liberals said, “We in the Liberal Party of Quebec are both federalists and democrats”. Yes, it is possible to be a federalist, a democrat, and a Liberal all at once. It is possible to hold multiple principles simultaneously. The Prime Minister, on the other hand, is merely a Liberal, in addition to being paternalistic and anti-democratic. Will the Liberals bring him back down to earth and ask him to repeal the Clarity Act?”

• Personal attack
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  Opposition question in Question Period

  Respect 75 of 100

  This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “The Prime Minister, on the other hand, is merely a Liberal, in addition to being paternalistic and anti-democratic”.

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“The Clarity Act hurts democracy. It lets the federal government ignore a vote if it does not like the result. It also ignores the Supreme Court's ruling on what a clear majority means.”

“Mr. Speaker, no matter what the Liberals may think, the Clarity Act is a tool designed to disregard democracy if the outcome of a vote does not suit the federal government. Its sole purpose is to suppress the will of the people. It is a law that undermines democracy and the right of peoples to self-determination. It also undermines justice by disregarding the Supreme Court’s opinion, which holds that the concept of a clear majority is purely qualitative and not tied to a numerical margin of victory. This is blatant authoritarian overreach. Are the Liberals not ashamed to promote this?”