Mr. Speaker, according to the Bloc Quebecois, French speaking people outside Quebec are all condemned to assimilation unless Quebec separates.
That reasoning is all the more insulting because it is unsound. Today, there are seven million French speaking people in Canada, out of a total population of 27 million, which means about 25 per cent of all Canadians. Should the Yes side win, there would be one million French speaking people in Canada out of a total population of 20 million, or five per cent of Canadians.
Separatists are prepared to jeopardize the remarkable progress that we have made over the last 30 years to protect and promote French in Canada. Separation would result in the worst geopolitical setback for French in North America since 1759.
French speaking people from all regions of the country, including Quebec, know very well that there is strength in numbers and
that a French speaking community which comprises Quebec is the best guarantee that French will blossom in this country.