Mr. Speaker, today the Government of Canada is inaugurating the Semaine nationale de la francophonie.
We affirm Canada's linguistic duality and note that there are over one million francophones living in provinces other than Quebec.
The Semaine nationale de la francophonie is also an occasion to reaffirm that the Canadian government has primary responsibility for promoting the official languages in its points of service throughout Canada.
Canada plays a major role in the French-speaking world, taking part in the decisions of institutions as important as the Francophone Summit, including the one to be held in Moncton in 1999.
Canada will continue to assume its leadership role with respect to la francophonie internationally. It is well aware of the challenges awaiting us in the new millennium with respect to the principle of freedom to express oneself in both official languages in Canada.