Mr. Speaker, the Semaine nationale de la francophonie begins today. I would like to remind the current government that we francophones—including Acadians, Franco-Saskatchewanians, Franco-Manitobans, Franco-Ontarians and Quebeckers—came from France over 300 years ago. We remain vibrant through our language and culture, and our children still dream in our ancestral language.
We remind you that we French North Americans are determined to be included in modern Canada.
We remind you that the federal government has stood up for our rights many times in the past.
We remind you that you have a duty to francophone communities in Canada, both large and small.
Our contribution to Canadian democracy can be measured by our presence in Canada, which has been uninterrupted since the 16th century. This is our home and we are not going anywhere.