Shortly after Bill C-20 passed through the House of Commons, Bill Blaikie made the following statement in the House (April 7, 2000):

Mr. Bill Blaikie (Winnipeg—Transcona, NDP):

[Translation]

Mr. Speaker, the controversy surrounding the bill on the clarity of the referendum process has perhaps abated, but Canadians opposed to Quebec's separation must not be lulled into a false sense of security.

Bill C-20 was part of what was called Plan B, a plan to make sure that if Quebec is determined to separate, that it must happen constitutionally and democratically. But no Plan B will be enough, politically or morally.

What Canada needs is a Plan A, a plan that counters separatism with a vision of Canada that meets the collective aspirations of the Quebec people to have their historic and present uniqueness recognized and respected by the rest of Canada.

This should be the legacy that the Prime Minister seeks.