Mr. Speaker, I welcome this opportunity to reiterate the Canadian government's commitment to francophone communities in minority situations in Canada.
This world of ours is redefining itself. Never has there been such an great need to look at the linguistic minorities issue. In this vast redefinition effort, Canada is a fine example of a success story, and I stress "success".
Unlike most countries, Canada was built on its two founding peoples. Ever since the first European explorers set foot on the American continent, linguistic duality has been a central feature of our collective identity. This duality dating back to the beginnings of this country has also enriched our country. Canada's official languages policy partakes of this vision, which, while being rooted in our past also propels us toward the future.
This policy was developed to promote the development of the two major official language communities across the country. Its main objective is to give francophones outside Quebec tools to ensure their development in terms of language and culture as well as in all economic sectors.
The official languages policy has always adapted to new realities. It started by recognizing Canada's official language minorities. Then, it encouraged them to find ways to assert their uniqueness within the community. Today, it seeks to promote their autonomy in every sphere of activity and to prompt them to look to the future and take their place on the world scene.
This policy remains an undeniably effective tool as we approach the turn of the century. Official language communities in a minority situation must join in with the rest of our society to meet the challenges of our times.
On this occasion, I would like to reflect on the key components of this policy, a proven policy that has been instrumental in making our country as successful as it is. There was a need, first of all, to recognize the fundamental role of the two official language communities of Canada. Enacting the Official Languages Act in 1969 laid the foundations of this recognition. This act unequivocally recognized in law the right of anglophones and francophones in minority situations to develop like all other Canadians.
Moreover, it gave the French and English languages equal status and equal rights in Parliament, before the courts and in federal institutions. Boosted by this recognition, linguistic minorities, especially French-speaking communities, have been able to put all their energy, imagination and resources into creating organizations which would allow them to voice their concerns throughout the country. First of all, those official languages minorities had to
ensure that the majority was aware of their presence and heard what they had to say.
Through its official languages policy, which gave concrete expression to the text of the law, the Government of Canada supported the collective effort by funding the new organizations directly. This strong political commitment of the government, combined with the inexhaustible vitality of the communities, for they played a role as well, led to the emergence of a solid network for promoting their interests and strengthening their communities in all aspects of life in society.
There are many tangible manifestations of this support. Everywhere outside Quebec where French is the language of communication and solidarity, school-community centres have opened their doors. New radio stations started to broadcast, newspapers reflected the reality of the minority environment, theatre companies sprang up, mutual aid associations were created and cooperatives went into operation. Thus, by implementing its official languages policies and programs, the federal government set off an unprecedented period of growth, and changed for good the vision that Canadians have of their country.
Second, in order to continue to promote the growth of the French fact outside Quebec, many years of negligence in education had to be compensated at all costs. This is why, in 1982, the Liberal government then in office guaranteed the rights of linguistic minorities to education in their own language in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The recognition, in section 23, of the right to an education in French for all francophones in the country is an historic fact of the highest significance. In addition to protecting the vital character of an education in French, this section confirms the right of francophones to manage their schools, as confirmed in 1990 by the Supreme Court of Canada in the Mahé case.
Given its mandate under the Official Languages Act, the Government of Canada decided to take the initiative and to help reluctant provinces fulfil their commitments. Among other things, it passed a series of special measures to make school management a reality everywhere in the country. The facts speak for themselves. In most provinces and territories, French speaking minorities now manage their own schools. The Government of Canada does its utmost, within the limits of its powers, to promote this reality in all regions of the country.
In October 1994, this government reinstated the court challenges program, an initiative which earned it the praise of the hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata, who said, and I quote: "On behalf of the francophone and Acadian communities, one must rejoice in the reinstatement of the court challenges program, the abolition of which they had condemned. It is thanks to this program that the right to be educated in French in Canada was recognized". The program provides francophones with the means to go to the courts to protect the right to manage their schools. The Government of Canada will continue to support these communities on the political, financial and legal fronts, to ensure this right is respected in every province and in the two territories.
Communities must now strengthen these rights and look after their development in every leading sector of human activity, particularly the economy and the communication and technology sectors.
At the World Acadian Congress held in August 1994, the Government of Canada announced an initiative that will allow francophone communities to play fully their role in the society of tomorrow. Pursuant to section 42 of the Official Languages Act, federal institutions and bodies have from now on the responsibility to financially and technically support the development of minority official language communities within the scope of their respective mandates, which means that these communities can now rely on new partners in each of the key sectors of their development.
For example, various concrete projects show the results such an initiative can have. In Alberta, for instance, the Western Economic Diversification Agency and the Department of Canadian Heritage both helped in the establishment of the Cité francophone in Edmonton.
In New Brunswick, the Law Faculty and the Electrical Engineering Department of the University of Moncton enjoyed the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Department of Human Resources Development. In Manitoba, a heritage centre will soon come into being thanks to the co-operation of the Western Economic Diversification Agency, and the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Department of Human Resources Development.
Francophones in Regina and Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, also had the support of these three partners for the construction of a school and community centre. In Nova Scotia, francophones in Petit-de-Grat, Cape Breton, have set up a combination school-community-business centre with the support of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Canadian heritage and development of human resources departments.
Obviously, these are but a few examples, but my own department is not the only one that does and should promote official languages in Canada. Linguistic duality is a matter of partnership. The Department of Canadian Heritage is also looking for a better co-operation with provincial and territorial governments.
With each one of these governments, the department tries to promote issues under provincial jurisdiction that have a direct impact on the future of official language communities in minority situations.
Moreover, the Government of Canada has given more leeway to official language communities despite the economic situation. We wanted these communities to set their own priorities and channel the resources provided to them into areas they consider a priority.
We are convinced that people themselves are most able to determine their needs and their future. That is why we have brought in a unique type of co-operation that involves direct agreements with the communities and gives them a greater financial independence. Both these measures are the logical and unescapable consequence of the Canadian government's vision of linguistic duality. They help official language communities in a minority situation contribute to the prosperity and success of Canada.
Also, because of the globalization of the economy, having two languages is a major asset, especially at a time when geo-political boundaries are becoming blurred. Our francophone and anglophone communities give us access to two of the greatest cultures of the world and their cultural vitality lets us assert our originality within the community of the world.
For instance, the Canadian francophonie, which is centred in the province of Quebec but spreads all over our country, has long been maintaining close ties with the international francophonie, that includes 47 member states.
The Francophonie is getting stronger and stronger and becoming a vibrant and invigorating force, a true culture and idea medium. To be part of it is to join a partnership of more than 160 million people scattered over five continents.
To be able to use two languages spoken throughout the world also represents a clear economic advantage at a time of market globalization. No less than 25 countries have French as one of their official languages, and 33 countries have English. That is why our official language policy promotes, through its programs, the learning of the second official language and makes Canadians more aware of the economic and cultural benefits several languages can provide.
Moreover, many Canadians want to have the opportunity to learn their second official language. An Environics poll showed that three out of four Canadians want their children to learn and master both official languages. Some three million young Canadians take regular second language courses or take part in immersion programs.
Communication, globalization and change are the new watchwords. Because of new technological and scientific developments, we are thrust into a complex and changing world. The information superhighway which will soon link all the countries in the world gives us only an inkling of the dimensions the information-based society will take worldwide.
We must have access to this electronic highway and it is all the more urgent for the Francophonie since it will need to find an original way to emphasize its distinctiveness and to carve itself a place in this otherwise unilingual and monolithic electronic universe.
Nowadays, the Francophonie is undoubtedly an integral part of the Canadian society and a major asset for this country. This is the reason why the official language policy remains, after 25 years, a good means to realize our vision of a free and forward-looking country.
Partnership and accountability are the key words of our policy. I unhesitatingly agree with these tools that will allow us to take up the challenges of today and tomorrow. Co-operation between various levels of government and their agencies, linguistic minorities, their representatives and the majority should be automatic. It must become second nature. I would even go as far as to wish that the private sector be even more committed to the promotion of the French factor in Canada. Businesses have much to give and to gain in this area, particularly if they want to establish business relations with francophones here and overseas.
Thus, partnership is a key to success and should guide us in the future. It is then important to diversify the funding sources of a policy that can no longer be only the concern of the government. For such a partnership to work, all stakeholders must also contribute their ideas, their creative abilities and their strengths.
Communities in particular must get what they need to be self-sufficient and find within themselves the means to realize their ideals. We will take measures to promote greater responsibility and freedom of action. It is with the absolute confidence that we have the instruments necessary to succeed collectively that I envision for Canada a future which reflects its geography, one that is rich, diversified and inexhaustible.
I think we have every reason to be proud of our Official Languages Act. Incidently, initiatives taken towards the French communities outside Quebec were praised by a former Secretary of State of the federal government, Mr. Lucien Bouchard.
In 1988, he declared that these initiatives were made possible by the enactment of the Official Languages Act, in 1969, by a Liberal government. He also said and I quote: "-their success was astonishing, as reflected in the access that Francophones outside Quebec have to education in their language and by the enrolment in immersion courses. Their implementation, as he then concluded, represents in every way a model of federal-provincial cooperation."
In this case, I can only agree with what Mr. Bouchard said at that time.