Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud western Canadian to pay tribute to Canada's francophones on the Year of the Francophonie in Canada.
Yesterday's offensive comments by the member of the Reform Party for Yellowhead further underline the need for Canadians to proudly support our francophone population.
Unlike the Reform Party, the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada respects the linguistic duality of our country. We understand the need to support and celebrate our participation in any organization that can promote the French language.
I challenge the members and leadership of the Reform Party of Canada to stand and be heard on this issue. If the Leader of the Opposition agrees with the member for Yellowhead that the country is being run by francophones, let him stand and be heard. If he believes that Ottawa has been frenchified, let him stand and be heard.
The Reform Party will never understand the history of this great country because it refuses to accept Canada's linguistic duality. That is also why the Reform Party will never form government.