Mr. Speaker, the 1996 census figures on linguistic profile show a 2% increase in the assimilation rate of francophones in Canada over the last five years. This trend towards assimilation of francophones is unacceptable.
I am a proud Acadian from New Brunswick. I am therefore really concerned when I see Acadians leaving their communities because there are no jobs and heading for anglophone urban centres where the risks of assimilation are greater.
It is the responsibility of this government to invest in our francophone communities outside Quebec. Creating jobs also creates vibrant communities where young people can work and contribute to the continued development of the French language and culture where they were born and grew up.
The federal government's budget cuts to the network of cultural associations and institutions, and to Radio-Canada are contributing to the disappearance of French in Canada. It is time this government stopped cutting and began investing in francophone communities outside Quebec.