Madam Chair, it is my turn to thank the House for the opportunity to speak in this important debate.
I join my hon. colleagues in this debate on the status of the French language in Quebec and our government's commitment to protecting and promoting the French language.
Anyone who knows me knows that even though I was not born here, I am a Montrealer and Quebecker through and through. I am now the member of Parliament for Hochelaga, and I am proud to be so connected to my community.
I came to Canada in 1980 with my single mother. We settled in the heart of the francophone community in eastern Montreal. I grew up in the age of Bill 101, and I learned French, which I speak today in the House, and my family and children learned it as well. Many people are surprised by my French, because I do not appear to have an accent. Actually, I have a Québécois accent, and I am proud of it.
Today, I represent the people of Hochelaga, a bastion of francophone culture in Montreal. From the Maisonneuve market to Place Simon-Valois to Ontario Street, we are proud to live in French.
This is not always easy. The use of French is declining in Montreal, and that worries me. It worries all of us here in the House. In Quebec, French is being used less as the primary language spoken or language of work. More and more stores are greeting customers in a language other than French. As a Montrealer, a Quebecker and a francophone, I find this worrisome.
It is extraordinary that we are all having a conversation here about the decline of the French language. As my colleague Pablo Rodriguez said earlier this evening—