Mr. Speaker, the first Jeux de la Francophonie canadienne were held in Memramcook, New Brunswick, between August 19 and 22.
Thirteen delegations of young francophones and francophiles aged between 15 and 18 came to celebrate their association with the French Canadian culture. They numbered nearly 1,000 young people and they came from all the provinces and territories.
In this Année de la Francophonie canadienne, the games afforded a fine opportunity to show off the vitality of our young francophones and to help instill the French language and culture in their hearts.
The Government of Canada and, more specifically, the Minister of Canadian Heritage is proud to have supported the first edition of the Jeux de la Francophonie canadienne and congratulates the Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française, which was the force behind this grand celebration that brought together young francophones—