Mr. Speaker, on October 30, 1995, Quebec's support for sovereignty grew from the 40% seen in 1980 to just under 50%. Quebec was just a hair's breadth away from becoming its own country.
History tells the tale. The so-called Canadian raison d'état served as a cover for cheating, lies and secrets, for voters who appeared out of thin air, for a love-in that smacked of hypocrisy, and much more.
Now, Quebeckers, all Quebeckers, must look to the future and simply ask themselves what country they want and how to make that happen.
Let us put aside the bitterness we feel at what was taken from an entire nation and focus our complete attention on the future, on the next opportunity, one we cannot afford to miss.
At the end of his life, Jacques Parizeau left us with a critical message about our destiny that resonates in light of the current context: Do not be afraid, do not be afraid, do not be afraid.