Mr. Speaker, today, March 20, is the Journée internationale de la Francophonie.
Moreover, this year is the 25th anniversary of this celebration of French culture and language, which was marked by the creation of the Cultural and Technical Co-operation Agency.
The Francophonie, which unites 47 countries, can be described as the community of peoples who speak French to varying degrees.
Since 1970, Canada has played a leading role in the development of the Francophonie. Through its membership in the Francophonie, Canada shares with the rest of the world our physiognomical traits and gives French speaking Canadians, who number 8.5 million, access to the world and development possibilities in a wide range of countries located in all parts of the world.
I would like to wish all francophones and francophiles in Canada a happy Journée internationale de la Francophonie.