Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
First of all, I think that we should support this motion. Over the past two years, I have seen us intervene in many sectors where we did not appear to have to do so for the purpose of protecting official language communities in minority situations. I must confess that I was surprised when I saw the motion. Indeed, Ontario has a long history when it comes to language problems. I think that everybody would acknowledge this. In addition, for some time now, other provinces have been following suit. There is, for example, New Brunswick, where anglophones have demanded French immersion programs in their schools. The Liberal government said no or, at least, was obstinate. There is another Liberal government in Ontario and there too, there is a problem.
As a central government, I think that it would be important to see whether people in official language minority situations are being respected. We are entitled to know whether or not the federal money earmarked to support francophone groups in Canada is going to the right place. I am speaking on my own behalf, but I believe that, as a Quebecker, I have a duty to support these groups. I may be aggravating those people with convictions that we should not get involved in provincial matters, which I do agree with, but I can assure you that, as a francophone, I find it deplorable that we still have to raise this issue today.
I thought that Ontario was a province that was a little bit more enlightened about the big linguistic problem that we have had throughout Canada, but recently I saw that the same situation prevails in New Brunswick. I therefore think that it is very important to deal with this issue as a committee, so that we can resolve the problem. Perhaps we could make some recommendations or suggestions that would be valid for Ontario, New Brunswick and Quebec.