Mr. Speaker, French language and culture play a significant and irreplaceable role in Canada's identity. They are part of our heritage.
In Ontario we have, for the last 40 years, recognized and celebrated our vibrant Francophone communities and the value French continues to add to our society.
This week the citizens of my home town of North Bay celebrated by banding together for a parade through the streets before raising the Franco-Ontarian flag at city hall. The two flowers depicted on the flag are significant. The white lily represents the French-speaking community worldwide, while the green trillium represents the floral emblem of Ontario.
It was our first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, who said:
Let us be English or let us be French...and above all let us be Canadians.
I know that sometimes differences can create conflict but in Canada we strive to have our differences provide us with the diversity to build a stronger and more prosperous nation.
I am Canadian. Je suis Canadien.