Thursday, March 15, 2007 

JOURNÉE DE LA FRANCOPHONIE

R. Cantelon: Merci, M. le président de la maison. Each year since 2002 our government proclaims March 20 as Journée de la Francophonie in British Columbia, and this year is no exception. Earlier today my colleague the Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations hosted a celebration in this prestigious building.

La Colombie-Britannique a la privilège de compter une communauté francophone dynamique et bien vivante. Il s'agit d'une communauté fière de son patrimoine et de sa contribution aux tissu social, culturel et economique de notre province et de tout notre pays.

           [French text provided by R. Cantelon.]

Indeed, in the 1850s the francophone community made up 60 percent of the province's population.

I would like to personally recognize l'Association des Francophones de Nanaimo. The Programme Bonjour, the initiation of a trade and cultural mission with Quebec and the role it plays in newcomers' retention in the community are all testimony to the group's drive to contribute to our social and economic fabric.

Over 7,300 people attended the recent Maple Sugar Festival in Nanaimo and were able to experience a little bit of traditional French culture, music and food. Last year the province received the prestigious Baldwin-Lafontaine Award from the Canadian Club in Vancouver. This award recognizes the tangible initiatives achieved by the B.C. government in promoting bilingualism and fostering Canadian unity.

The proclamation of March 20 as Journée de la Francophonie in British Columbia gives all of our province's French-speaking individuals an opportunity to celebrate our Canadian heritage.

Je vous invite à vous joindre à moi pour féliciter et remercier les Britanno-Colombiens francophones pour leur contribution à notre société. Merci.

           [French text provided by R. Cantelon.]