Mr. Chair, and all members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages who are here in my province, first let me thank you for your kind words. I am very proud to welcome you to Edmonton; I am also very pleased that you are here to listen to people from the Franco-Albertan community who put so much energy and determination into furthering the progress of the French fact in Alberta.
As you rightly said, the Standing Committee on Official Languages is close to my heart. I was a member of the committee since I was appointed to the Senate in 2005 and I have worked in the area for many years. Our Canadian identity and the value that we attach to bilingualism and our to country's linguistic duality are very dear to me. Let me wish you a very successful meeting.
Thank you very much for the appreciation you are showing me.