Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The flower goes to the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada.
Even if the stand taken by the FCFA on the referendum issue is not as firm as it should be, it is now clear that the federation is on the No side, something which was not quite clear a few weeks ago.
The FCFA hopes that Quebecers will vote no but, unfortunately, it will not go any further in its efforts to convince them of the virtues of federalism.
The federation deserves a flower for clarifying its stand, but only one. It will get the bouquet when it takes on the role that it should assume regarding this issue and actively participates in the No campaign, as is the wish of the vast majority of French-speaking Canadians outside Quebec.
The pot goes to the Bloc member for Rimouski-Témiscouata.
That member should think twice before opening her mouth. That could prevent her from talking nonsense as she did last week, when she said that the only way to save the French language in Canada is through a sovereign Quebec.
Such comments clearly show how little Quebec politicians know about the French fact outside Quebec.
As for the "meddling" argument, it is getting pretty thin. The Quebec referendum is a national issue, no matter what the hon. member and others say, and francophones outside Quebec have as much right to speak to this issue as Quebecers.
Francophones outside Quebec have kept silent for too long, which explains why it took so long before they obtained their language rights in some provinces. From now on, they will be heard loud and clear on issues which affect them, including the Quebec referendum.
The article is signed by Nelson Landry.