Status of the French Language in Montreal  Mr. Speaker, I know you to be an admirable colleague and an ally of official languages and francophones, especially in Ontario. I am pleased to make a few comments to you today on the topic of official languages. It is a privilege for me to speak this evening to a topic that co

Official Languages  Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my colleague of certain facts. I believe that my colleague is new to the official languages file and has just demonstrated a certain interest in the issue. For the first time ever, we recognized the need to protect the French language in the t

Official Languages  Mr. Speaker, committees are independent. I encourage my colleagues who sit on the committee to continue to work hard on official languages and their significance. One thing is clear. We have a common desire to do more for the French language. We really need to be able to look at

Official Languages  Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my colleague that one is either for or against a strong francophonie in Canada. It would be inconceivable to look at Quebec alone without looking at all francophones across the country. We cannot say one thing to Quebeckers and the opposite to

Official Languages  Mr. Speaker, I did receive my colleague's letter. It was the first time in five years, since I took over the official languages file, that I finally received something ostensibly concrete. That said, I look forward to working with my colleague. We like taking a co-operative app

Official Languages  Mr. Speaker, I would like to reassure my colleague that I have been in contact with my Quebec counterpart, Simon Jolin-Barrette. We spoke recently, actually. We have been in constant communication because we both want to protect French in Quebec, while respecting the English-spe

Official Languages  Mr. Speaker, it is a wonder why the Bloc Québécois is looking for a fight at any cost when the fact is that we agree on protecting the French language. We want to work together to do just that. I am saying to my colleagues that we should work together. We are reaching out. Let u

Western Economic Diversification  Mr. Speaker, I am surprised by the allegations of my colleague. Obviously, I would like to talk to him about this specific case. We have always been there for many businesses across the west. Not only have we been there, but we included much more funding recently to Western Eco

Official Languages  Mr. Speaker, it goes without saying that French is losing ground in Quebec. We recognize that, and we want to take action. I have had good conversations with my counterpart in Quebec, Simon Jolin-Barrette, who is working on a reform of his own. For our part, we are also working

Official Languages  Mr. Speaker, many parliamentarians have walked these hallowed halls. In the history of the 42 previous parliaments, French has never been recognized as a minority language in this country. This government is the first government in history to recognize the importance of the eigh

Official Languages  Mr. Speaker, it goes without saying that we agree with the Bloc Québécois members and all colleagues who are francophiles and official languages allies. Protecting our language in Quebec and across the country is important. At the same time, protecting the French fact means prot

Government Programs  Mr. Speaker, it goes without saying that we will always work toward cutting excessive red tape and regulations. We will work with my colleague to ensure that the people of his riding get good service. In the meantime, if they have more specific questions, they can always get in

Official Languages  Mr. Speaker, I know that Halloween just passed, but I want to remind hon. members of the horrors of the Conservative Party when it comes to official languages. The Montfort hospital, the Campus Saint-Jean, and the French-language university in Ontario are examples of Conservativ

Official Languages  Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to say what I thought about her remarks. The member apologized and, of course, as we stated in the throne speech, we will always be there to protect the French fact in Canada and recognize that French is a minority language that needs more supp

Questions on the Order Paper  Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada is committed to growing the economy in northern Ontario and creating good local jobs. The Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, or FedNor, has always been a key partner for entrepreneurs in northern Ontario and an inte