Mr. Speaker, as you are no doubt aware, the conference of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie was held May 12 to 14 in St. Boniface, bringing together ministers and representatives of 53 countries and 10 observer countries. We have the right hon. member from LaSalle—Émard to thank for his proposal to host the conference here in Canada. The meeting concluded with the adoption of a joint statement declaring the members' desire to play a greater role in international peacekeeping operations.
I would like to underscore the importance of holding such a conference in western Canada. The participants were delighted by the welcome they received and the vitality of the francophone community in Manitoba, of which I am very proud. They all witnessed how the French fact is deeply integrated and thriving all across Canada.
Despite the diplomatic incident provoked by the Canadian government involving the secretary general, Mr. Diouf, the delegates left St. Boniface with a better appreciation for our francophone community and with the intention of strengthening the many ties that already unite us.