Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge, on behalf of the official opposition, the swearing in today of Roméo LeBlanc as the Governor General of Canada. Following his long career as a member of Parliament, minister and Liberal senator, his appointment as Governor General recognizes a life dedicated to politics.
Just as the Leader of the Opposition congratulated the Prime Minister in the House when the appointment of Mr. LeBlanc was announced, we also congratulate the Prime Minister on choosing, for the first time, an Acadian as Governor General.
We hope the Governor General will play a role in promoting the rights of francophone and Acadian communities in Canada. We acknowledge and respect the Governor General's right to defend Canadian unity, just as we must recognize the right of sovereignists to defend their plans because, when all is said and done, the decision is for Quebecers to make and for them alone.