Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to recognize the work of exceptional people in my riding of Glengarry—Prescott—Russell.
Every year for nearly 20 years, the Prescott and Russell Banquet de la francophonie has recognized those individuals who have helped promote the Francophonie. This year, Maurice Godard, Gilles Fournier, Bruno Lecot, and Jocelyne Leroux will be inducted into the Ordre de la francophonie and Jean-Sébastien Boye and Julien Lalonde will receive the Prix jeunesse Thomas-Godefroy.
The community engagement and dedication of these individuals make eastern Ontario a great place to live in French.
I would like to take this opportunity to offer them my heartfelt congratulations. I am looking forward to sharing this special moment with them on April 2. I would like to say that the francophone community outside Quebec has high hopes for this government, and I know that the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage will work very hard to promote the French language outside Quebec.