Thank you, Madam Chair.
First, I would like to take some of my time to express the deep unease I felt earlier when my colleague Mr. Fergus began his speech in French and then stated: “Perhaps I should say it in English.” It is as if the French language is from another planet and it will be impossible for witnesses and committee members to understand.
Madam Chair, as a Quebecker, my official language is French. I want to make it clear that I have no qualms about speaking French, and I hope that my colleagues do not feel embarrassed or afraid to speak in one of Canada's two official languages. I just wanted to say this at the beginning of my speech, because I can absolutely—