I'm not talking about you, my friend, but I do know that haircuts have changed in the past eight years.
This is the first time I’m appearing as Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages.
However, you have known me for a long time as a result of the positions I have held here on Parliament Hill, particularly as parliamentary secretary to Ms. Joly. You know that the situation of our official language minority communities is important to me.
I understand all the great work you've done to make the lives of francophones across the west and anglophones in Quebec better. I can tell you that I've had the opportunity to highlight this committee's excellent work already.
I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for considering and approving Bill C‑13. It took 50 years to modernize the Official Languages Act. I tip my hat and congratulate every one of you.
I have to say that the coming into force of the Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages on June 20 last was a major step forward. Modernization of the Official Languages Act addresses concerns and realities that I regularly see at home in Edmonton. My membership in an official language minority community is a part of who I am. I sincerely believe that what is happening in Alberta's francophone community—our challenges, our successes and the defence of our rights—can help further the entire Canadian francophonie and the promotion of official languages across the country.
Implementing the modernized act will allow us to support the French language across Canada, including Quebec, and defend official language minority communities.
As you already know the modernized act inside out, I'm going to highlight just a few aspects that I feel are particularly important.
First of all, support for education from early childhood to the post-secondary level and beyond—