We are going to join forces with the entire Canadian francophonie in all its diversity.
Beyond creating a declaratory quasi-constitutional statute, we must increase the enforceability of the Official Languages Act. Let's tighten up the system to improve its actual implementation. This corrective action means imposing disciplinary or corrective measures, but also proposing and naming incentives.
To increase government motivation for official languages success, particularly in the area of positive measures, incentives could be offered for performance management and the promotion of excellence. Those incentives could be both symbolic and financial. The modernized act should help guarantee from the outset that actions follow words.
In closing, we call for strong and clear political leadership on the importance of linguistic duality, which must be valued as an intrinsic part of the unique Canadian character and given the impetus this vision deserves.
The future of our official languages depends on our collective ability to innovate and to work in close cooperation for the welfare of all Canadians. In our view, any review or revision of the act should take into consideration the contribution of the arts, culture and cultural industries sector in achieving its cultural and identity objectives. The arts, culture and cultural industries sector is inspired, motivated and ready for action.
We thank you for your invitation and especially for listening.
We conclude with the words of the late Fernand Dorais, professor of literature in the Department of French Studies at Laurentian University in Sudbury:A culture is first and foremost a history, a shared language, a societal style, the choosing of values, a desire for the future.