Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I would just like to check with the official opposition on whether I can speak in French without being told to “speak English”.
Yesterday, in the House, the Minister of Public Services and Procurement was told by the Conservative member for Brantford—Brant to answer in English. I would like to point out that the member's riding includes 4,000 Franco-Ontarians. Barely a year ago, the Minister of Canadian Heritage was told to answer in English by the Conservative member for Lethbridge.
As the years go by, more Conservative members are telling us to answer in English. It is a refrain they use more often than their slogans. It seems that the “speak white” culture is alive and well in the Conservative Party. So far, neither the Conservative Party leader nor the francophone members of the Conservative Party have spoken out against it.
On this side of the House, we will always defend the official languages. Will francophone Conservative members finally muster the courage to call out their colleague or will they just sit back in silence to keep the peace with every Tom, Dick and Harry in the Conservative leader's office?