Mr. Speaker, at the 80th annual assembly of the Société Saint-Thomas d'Aquin held on May 15, the Acadians of Prince Edward Island adopted a resolution calling for the Société nationale de l'Acadie to be allowed to represent the Acadian people at the Sommet de la Francophonie in Moncton. This would allow the Acadians of Prince Edward Island and of Nova Scotia to have a voice on the international scene, since New Brunswick, as a governmental member of the Agence de la Francophonie, can represent only the people of that province.
The Société nationale de l'Acadie already has co-operative agreements with numerous countries, including France and Belgium. Its recognition as spokesperson for the Acadian people within the Agence de la Francophonie will enable the Acadians to make their unique character known to the world.
If the international Francophonie did not have any misgivings about including governments such as those of Quebec and New Brunswick, could it not recognize the Acadian people, the second francophone group in America, as a participant in the Agence de la Francophonie?