Madam Chair, I thank my colleague for whom I have a great deal of respect. It is because I have so much respect for him that his words touch me so. I thank him for the kind things he said about me and for pointing out that I was able to learn French and to make something of myself.
My colleague asked me what I have seen. I have seen the Prime Minister stand up in the House not far from where I am now standing and say just how important Bill 101 is and how important it is to defend the French language. I have seen my colleague from Ahuntsic-Cartierville working hard every day to modernize the Official Languages Act, which will revolutionize a number of things. I have seen members from every region of Quebec, including my two colleagues from Quebec City, my friend's neighbours, the Minister of Foreign Affairs who is from Shawinigan and my colleagues from other parts of Quebec who, every time they speak, do so as proud francophones and proud Quebeckers. There are 35 MPs from Quebec and all over the country that will always defend the French fact.