Mr. Chair, four hours later, I would like to begin by thanking all colleagues in the House for making me live an absolutely extraordinary moment in my young political career. This is quite exceptional. It is even more extraordinary, because it has not rekindled my flame—it was never extinguished—but it has certainly nourished it about the importance of culture and my pride of being part of this government, which believes in the importance of culture, heritage, the status of women, sports, being a great sport fan, of course, and so on.
That being said, also as the former president of the Maison de la culture, you understand why this is even more important to me, because I think that culture is the heart of a country. Here, on this side of the House, we feel that there is a lot of heart.
However, tonight, I would like to bring this debate to an issue that we did not hear much about. I would have a question to ask a minister that I admire enormously, because she went through this kind of process. Everyone knows also that I am very proud to be a member—and this, for the first time, and I hope for several other times—of the Standing Committee on Official Languages.
I think this is an important issue. It is unfortunate that my hon. colleague opposite, who had so much fun asking all these questions based on newspapers, is not even listening to me while I am addressing him. However, the questions of linguistic duality and official languages are also at the core of our Canadian identity. It is part of our heritage. It is our reality.
It is impossible to imagine Canada today without recognizing the importance of French and English for our entire society.
The official languages policy put forward by the federal government in the seventies reflects a vision of a country of openness where francophones and anglophones can feel at home wherever they live. To feel at home is to be able to realize our potential and to contribute fully to the economic, social and cultural life of our country.
The efforts made by the Canadian government for over the 30 years to promote official languages from coast to coast to coast is a logical extension of this vision. And today we can appreciate its positive impacts.
The Department of Canadian Heritage is at the centre of the Canadian government's efforts to support the official languages communities and to promote linguistic duality. As a member of the committee, and on a more personal note as a Quebecker and a Gatinoise, the cause of minorities living in a minority situation and the position of the French language and culture are very close to my heart.
Our efforts were rewarded and today French communities have more tools to ensure their development. Thanks to their determination, and oftentimes to the federal government's support, francophones have succeeded in developing the required solidarity in order to invest in all the critical areas of society. They have started successful businesses and created their own jobs. They have opened theatres, newspapers, radio stations and publishing companies that reflect their cultural force and vitality. Here in the beautiful National Capital Region, I have had the opportunity of seeing how Franco-Ontarians have taken charge and launched a number of interesting initiatives like the Festival franco-ontarien, the Nouvelle scène and others.
Whether for the entrenchment of language rights in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the recognition of the right to school management or access to services in French, francophones and anglophones have worked on all fronts.
Barely 20 years ago, let us not forget it, there were no french-speaking schools in several provinces. In 1990, except for New Brunswick and some francophone communities in Ontario, no minority community in the country was managing its schools. Today, in each province and territory, those communities manage all their schools. On this continent with a vast anglophone majority, we, Francophones, must redouble our efforts, our perseverance, our resolve, even audacity to guarantee coming generations an even better future in French.
Some say that in the current political context, support given to official languages is insufficient. Others feel that in the current economic situation, our linguistic policies are much too costly and yield little. Of course, the economic context demands that we show initiative, even avant-gardism to continue supporting in an effective manner the development and fulfilment of official language communities in a minority situation.
