Thank you, Mr. Nadeau.
That was a long preamble. I disagree with a number of the statements you made, but I do respect your views. I also do not share your vision of Canada but that is not an issue. One of the strengths of this country is that it brings together people whose visions and perceptions differ.
That said, you have levelled some charges against Conservatives that I cannot accept at all, because they are wrong. Conservatives have passed very good measures for official languages in all parts of the country. In New Brunswick, the new Official Languages Act was passed by a Conservative government. Here in Ottawa, it is the Conservative government that enshrined Bill 88 on the protection of linguistic duality in New Brunswick. It is a Conservative government that in its throne speech included a clear and specific commitment to do more for official languages. I have confidence in the work that will be done in the wake of the report I have submitted, in the wake of your work, and in the wake of efforts made by communities and individuals. Minister Verner will unveil the second phase of the action plan, which will be very positive for minority official language communities across Canada.
This does not mean the government will be able to put an end to all the challenges communities have to face. There are indeed challenges. You talked about assimilation. I am well aware that assimilation exists in Canada, and I make no claim that the government can solve all the problems. But I do not agree that there should be no francophone immigration to Manitoba, for instance. Even the Manitoban government, which is neither Conservative nor Liberal but NDP, has established a goal and is working towards it. So far, we have to recognize that the Government of Manitoba has achieved its immigration objectives, and I hope we can help it continue on that path.