Mr. Speaker, all of Canada has good reason to celebrate the Semaine de la Francophonie.
In a number of Canadian provinces, the struggle to promote and conserve the French language and culture has been a long and difficult one.
The fear of losing the rich national resource that our language and bilingualism represent has moved a number of people to form organizations to defend and promote the French, with a view to consolidating the position of francophones outside Quebec.
Today, all francophones outside Quebec feel pride in what they have accomplished and join with Quebec in marking this week which celebrates French and the ongoing battle in all of the provinces of Canada to preserve and promote this rich culture.