Madam Speaker, I hope the hon. member is speaking in the name of his colleagues from the Bloc when he says he recognizes at least that there are many affinities between French-speaking Quebeckers and francophones outside Quebec because we must admit to ourselves and to all Canadians that we, francophones outside Quebec, come from the province of Quebec, one way or another.
In 1925, my father, who incidentally was from Boucherville, settled in northern Ontario, so I am a francophone immigrant. Consequently, I have no doubt that we have a lot of affinities. The message I conveyed in my maiden speech is that I do not understand why Quebec would want to separate from Canada since, in my humble opinion, it has benefited just as much as the other provinces from being a part of Canada.
I am happy and proud to say that I am living proof that it is possible to live in Canada, to exercise one's rights, to keep one's mother tongue, one's culture and even to blossom. This is why I say to Quebeckers: “Make no mistake about it, the best solution for you is still to stay in Canada. Think seriously about the consequences”.
I wish I had more time to speak.