Mr. Speaker, with regard to the fist question by the hon. member for Québec-Est, I think he ought to at least have the courage to acknowledge that this government, through its Prime Minister, did indeed commit in 1994 to the implementation of section 41 of the Official Languages Act.
At that time, I would say it was somewhat of a novelty for government to require various sectors, various departments, to be concerned with the development of minority communities in the country. Of course, we are just beginning that undertaking and most definitely we have asked each department to provide an action plan on the implementation of section 41. The Commissioner of Official Languages has just reported on this. At least he had the honesty to describe the action plans very clearly as first generation.
For the first time, departments and agencies were required to draw up action plans concerning the development of minorities in Canada. The initiative must, I believe, at least be acknowledged, although I fully agree that the plans are not perfect, and not up to the expectations of the francophone communities. There is, however, action under way and the wish of the government is being translated into action which will improve from one year to the next. Moreover, the report of the Commissioner of Official Language will help us to improve the departments' action plans for next year.
Although the hon. member for Québec-Est does not have the honesty to do so, the action taken by this government must be acknowledged. The same thing goes for the support to official language minority groups throughout the country. Every time I hear the hon. member for Québec-Est in this House, he is going on about the end of the world, the assimilation of Canada's francophones. He makes it sound like we are headed for a national catastrophe or something.
I realize that the potential for indignation among the Bloc Quebecois members is very great, very easily set off, but still reality must not be denied. Has there been progress in this country in the past 25 years, since the Official Languages Act was adopted? Has there been a change for the better in the situation of the communities? Yes.
Is the situation perfect? No. I am the first to admit that. We must, however, acknowledge that we are in a situation of change, that there has been a marked improvement, and that this government is still committed to supporting the minority communities across the country.
When I hear it said that I did not have the courage to attend the ACFO convention, I would just like to remind the hon. member for Québec-Est that, on this side of the House at least, we work as a team, and a government team member did attend, the hon. member for Ottawa-Vanier. He spoke at the ACFO convention, reiterating the government's desire to sign an agreement with the franco-Ontarian community. What is more, that community has requested a meeting, which will take place tomorrow with the parliamentary secretary for Canadian Heritage. Once again, let us have all the facts before we jump to conclusions.