To the Editor:
NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair claims that a paltry majority of 50 per cent +1 of expressed votes in a referendum would be enough to justify breaking up Canada; that Quebec separation could occur based on a one-vote difference between the Yes and No sides. While the NDP requires a two-thirds majority to make changes in their own constitution, Mr. Mulcair considers that a single vote is sufficient to break up Canada!
Mr. Mulcair contradicts the Supreme Court of Canada, which ruled in 1998 that a negotiation on secession would require a vote with "a clear majority on a clear question", a ruling to which Parliament gave effect via the Clarity Act - with the NDP's support.
Mr. Mulcair contradicts his own party's historic support for clarity. Prominent NDP members such as Roy Romanow, Bill Blakie and Pat Martin strongly supported the Clarity Act. As former NDP leader Ed Broadbent wisely said: "It's now widely understood by ordinary citizens as well as experts that democracy entails much more than accepting 50 per cent +1".
According to Mr. Mulcair, 50 per cent+1 is a clear majority; can he tell us what he thinks constitutes an unclear majority? When he contradicts the Supreme Court on such a crucial issue as the breakup of his country - our country, how can he even think he deserves to be its Prime Minister?
The NDP claims its absurd support for a 50 per cent +1 separation threshold is a "pro-Quebec" position. But letting Quebeckers run the risk of being forced to separate from Canada on the basis of a judiciary recount is not being pro-Quebec.
Mr. Mulcair is not showing openness towards Quebec. He is playing the separatist game at the expense of all Canadians. That is enough to disqualify him as Canada's would-be Prime Minister.
Stéphane Dion, MP Liberal Critic for Intergovernmental Affairs.
