Mr. Speaker, this is a major milestone in our journey of reconciliation.
I am a proud Franco-Albertan, and over the years, I have even learned to speak Spanish.
The dynamic and growing francophone, Francophile and franco-curious community of Edmonton, Alberta, centred around Campus Saint-Jean and La Cité Francophone, fundamentally changed my life. I am here as the member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre in large part due to my ability to live and love both of Canada's official languages.
What members may not know is that despite my French last name, I grew up in a predominantly English-speaking household.
I spoke French with my grandma and grandpa, and with my aunts and uncles too.
However, at home, we spoke English.
As a 15-year-old student, I applied for and was honoured to be chosen to attend the Forum for Young Canadians in Ottawa. My then 15-year-old self was struck by the fact I could not communicate with fully 40% of the delegates, interesting and dynamic students from Quebec and New Brunswick. They assumed, by hearing my last name, that I could speak French.