Mr. Chair, I want to thank you for the respect you have shown the witnesses. Since you knew what was coming, you decided to postpone their appearance and informed the vice-chairs. The witnesses who were invited last Thursday were from British Columbia. I don't know where today's witnesses were from, but I thank you for respecting them. I wanted to mention that.
That being said, the Liberal MPs claimed earlier that Conservative MPs are not sensitive to the French fact and Canadian identity. Mr. Chair, you would be surprised by the number of Conservative MPs who speak French. Let me offer some advice, to you and all your Liberal colleagues: Be careful. Even though they're not fluent in French, they can indeed speak French discreetly, but they understand it very well. That is their choice.
Mr. Iacono's motion says: “That the Committee remind all MPs of their right to speak in whichever of the two official languages at all times in Parliament”.
When I say the official languages, I still have to wink. It is clear that for the Liberals or for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada's two official languages are not necessarily French and English. Since the Prime Minister appointed a bilingual Governor General who doesn't speak French, there is not much doubt.
Let me say again that you would be surprised that my Conservative colleagues speak more French than you think. That was the most wonderful surprise I had when I took the official languages portfolio.
Just yesterday, I met with representatives from Canadian Parents for French. The interest that Canadians have in Canada's specific identity is impressive. They want to preserve bilingualism and learn French. The problem isn't that not enough people are interested, but rather that there is insufficient access. That is a great tribute to the francophones who struggle every day.
I can understand my fellow committee members who want my colleague Larry Brock to apologize, but my colleague has apologized. It is important for francophones to continue to defend the French fact. I will always stand up for the French fact. We mustn't get carried away, though. Going back to that image of my colleague, I am wondering if Mr. Brock has to be tarred and feathered.
Mr. Chair, I don't know whether you remember that. Maybe you didn't do that in Acadia.