The Bloc Qubcois desperately announced their intention to table a motion in the House of Commons that would label the province of Quebec a nation.

My party had no option but to counter this threat to Canadian unity and consequently tabled a government motion that would "recognize that Qubcois form a nation within a unified Canada".

My party's motion was not an attempt to separate Canada, but to keep it as one.

The motion my party proposed was overwhelmingly supported by all parties on both sides of the House.

On Nov. 27 the motion passed by 266-16 votes. The Bloc's attempt to back Canadians into a corner completely backfired.

To their embarrassment, the party even supported our motion.

In my opinion, this is yet another example of the Bloc demonstrating how pointless their presence is in Ottawa.

The vote was a clear message to all of Canada that national unity is above any one party or individual.

The vote marked a victory for all of Canada and the defeat to the 40-year-old debate to separatist independence.

It was a brilliant motion that was a gesture of reconciliation. While it recognized that les Qubcois has preserved and promoted their unique language and culture, it also recognized that they did this within Canada.

Prime Minster Harper protected Canada's unity and all parties supported his motion. I am proud to be Conservative and proud to be a Canadian.

Helena Guergis is the Conservative MP for Simcoe-Grey.