Every MP is proud of their riding. If an MP did not say that their riding was the most beautiful in Canada, that would be a problem. Bellechasse is a very beautiful place. It’s very similar to my riding, Kings—Hants. There, you’ll find many farms, and you’ll find communities and very rural villages. I spent three weeks in the small village of Saint‑Gervais—perhaps my colleagues from Quebec know it—where 99% of the people speak French. For a very young athlete, this kind of French immersion was a great opportunity to learn the French language, because all of my conversations were in French.
I will link this with the motion. It’s important to preserve and promote the French language in Quebec, of course, but also throughout Canada. We must encourage anglophones and people with no connection to the French language to improve their knowledge of French. We have to make sure that all those efforts are deployed throughout the country.
My colleague Mr. Serré proudly represents northern Ontario, and Mr. Drouin is also a proud francophone MP. I have seen his efforts in that context. Because I am a Liberal MP, I have had several conversations with Mr. Drouin, who is a champion of the French language. Specifically, he holds the position of president of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, which is impressive. His duties include promoting the French language around the world, including in Ontario, in Quebec, throughout Canada and other countries where French is spoken.
It is therefore necessary for me to give my opinion regarding the motion: It’s a squabble, a personal attack. As Mr. Serré or Mr. Samson said, the vote is over for the presidency of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie. Every member of the assembly has their own opinion and has the right to vote. The majority of the assembly’s members voted for Mr. Drouin to keep his position. That part of the motion is therefore incorrect and no longer necessary. I think every MP, especially francophone MPs, as well as those who represent francophone ridings throughout Canada and Quebec, should reconsider their position. We have to decide if it’s necessary to continue with this witch hunt, if I’m using the right expression.