Sheila Copps

[Canadian Francophonie, December 3rd, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I am amazed, because once again, the numbers quoted by the member opposite are wrong.

Indeed, the five-year program we have implemented to support minority languages, that is the French language outside Quebec and the English language in Quebec, provides for $900 million over five years.

If the member wishes to talk about numbers, there is no doubt that these reveal a willingness to go forward. That is why my cabinet colleagues have assured me that there will be an increase in these numbers in the next five-year plan to be announced at the beginning of next year.

[Canadian Francophonie, December 3rd, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member is saying that the English speaking provinces are responsible for the decline, I must tell him that the decline is even worse in Quebec. What does this say about the Quebec government?

[Canadian Francophonie, December 3rd, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, we must not mislead the House by saying that there is a net decline. Indeed, it is not a net decline but an increase.

But the increase in numbers is too small and this is why, in recent years, we have been working on a new policy. As members know, we have a five-year plan for the development of minority languages. The plan, due to end next year, will be extended, along with several new elements, not only to provide French education, but also to maintain French language institutions, which should please francophone communities all across Canada.

[Tfo, December 2nd, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I would like first of all to congratulate the member who has always shown great interest in the development of francophone communities across Canada.

I can assure him that we are working with our counterparts so that this TFO can continue to serve the public and, second, so that Télévision française de l'Ontario, which has already started to broadcast in New Brunswick, can broadcast in the province of Quebec and in all of Canada, so as to increase French programming for children and for everyone.

[Language Policy, December 2nd, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I invite the hon. member to visit my riding and meet people working in Notre-Dame school, in the Georges-P. Vanier school or at a francophone chamber of commerce.

Does he want to come or does he prefer to close his eyes, as did his minister of the Francophonie, who has no interest in francophones outside Quebec, except when it is to his political advantage?

[Language Policy, December 2nd, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I do and I did so in fact last month.

A meeting of the ministers of the Francophonie was held, unfortunately the Quebec minister decided not to attend.

[Language Policy, December 2nd, 1997]

I find it sad that the Reform is saying “Send them another cheque”. The ability to speak French is not dependent on a cheque, but on the desire of each and every Canadian, and the language has survived for 100 years. Now that we have the institutions, we must continue with them, we must work together within a united Canada to build them. We are well placed to build up French throughout the country.

[Language Policy, December 2nd, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I have already, through my cabinet colleagues, carried out an examination of all of our current funding for minority languages.

[Language Policy, December 2nd, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I think one thing is important: looking at the 1996 census, we see right off that the use of French in Canada has increased, which is good news. The greatest increase, of course, has been in the province of Quebec.

As we are already doing with the minority language program, we wish to maintain recognition of the French language as equal to English, through such actions as supporting TVO's French language broadcasting. Programming must be available in French throughout the country and we hope this will continue.

[Television And Cable Production Fund, November 26th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I would first of all like to thank all my hon. colleagues in the House for their support of the television and cable production fund. I can assure you that my colleague, the Minister of Finance, is so interested that he has already promised that, right after oral question period, he will meet with the group that came today.

I thank the minister and I thank all members who supported us in this initiative.