As for the Olympic Games, we have all been clear. No one complained about the signage, the bilingualism at the Games,and so on. The problem was with the opening ceremony. I will repeat what you said: that even the Commissioner of Official Languages, Graham Fraser, said that he was impressed by the level of bilingualism at the Olympic Games and pleased with the presence of French at the closing ceremony. He did not say “at the opening and closing ceremonies.”
You state that Graham Fraser, the official languages commissioner, congratulated you, but can we acknowledge that they missed the boat for the opening? It was not just a question of representing the nation of Quebec properly, but also of representing all francophones in Canada. They could have done better. It cannot be said that VANOC was not really aware of it, because we knew from the outset that the Games were going to be held in Vancouver. The VANOC representatives came before the committee on a number of occasions, as did the Commissioner of Official Languages.
To be brief, I am simply saying that it is unfortunate that, during one of these ceremonies, we felt that French did not occupy its rightful place. It reminds me of the 2003 Canada Games in Bathurst and Campbellton. French was completely absent from the opening ceremony, then people complained throughout the games, and in the end, there was French at the closing ceremony. It is always up to the francophone community. They always have to fight for their rightful place, and I find it a shame.