I believe we have somewhat the same challenges. For example, as regards the media, there is talk about possible cuts at Radio-Canada. What kind of television and radio media will we have?
The small weeklies are very vulnerable. And yet, when we talk to the management of L'Eau Vive, we're told that federal government investments, even in advertising, have fallen by 40% or 50%. We aren't even receiving an advertising share comparable to that of The Star Phoenix or The Prince Albert Daily Herald, or whatever.
We also have a heritage and artists. A number of our people make headlines everywhere. I agree with Denis: it's vital, it's full of energy and a lot of things are being done, but it's often done with whatever resources are available.
That's why we work in the area of federal and provincial government services in French. The community remains vital to the extent that we can live in French from day to day.
It should be noted that there were approximately 55,000 French speakers in 1955. Today there are 47,000, 48,000 or 49,000, but, at the time, they were Catholic French Canadians. Today, people like me are in the minority. Now they're anglophones who speak French. These are immigrants, people from everywhere who migrate to our province by choice, or who learn a second language.
I believe that the arts, culture, heritage and education are important. For example, back home, the school program refers extensively to identity, language and culture objectives that form an integral part of what young people learn, a certain pride in who they are.