Bonjour, welcome and thank you for providing an opportunity for me to share the best wishes of the Official Opposition as we celebrate Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie.
Canada’s cultural bedrock rests upon three founding cultures: our First Nations, the British, and the French. The relationships between these founding peoples, and the immigrants who came later to help build one of the most prosperous nations in the world, has evolved over time, moving from conflict to cooperation to genuine nationhood.
How lucky we are to live in a country with such diverse cultural influences. French culture has become part of Canadian culture; it informs our politics, our laws, our films, our music, our literature, our economy, our art. French permeates the fabric of every Canadian’s daily life, sometimes in subtle ways, sometimes in obvious ones.
The benefits are profound, and La Francophonie deserves our thanks for promoting the value of French culture and language around the world.
I would like to quote a portion of my own remarks from last year, because I believe the point remains important and worth repeating:
Language is the means by which human beings grow to know and understand one another. Language allows us to express our needs, extend our sympathy, solve problems, ask questions, tell stories and explore the mysteries of the universe together. French accomplishes all this with beauty and elegance, and Francophones, it seems to me, are above all communicators. Every expression of French culture tells a story and says something about what it means to be human.
So as we celebrate this coming together of Francophones and admirers of French culture, let us also celebrate the work of La Francophonie: its scientific, cultural and humanitarian achievements as well as its ability to unite millions of diverse people from all over the world.
Diversity and respect for all cultures is a fundamental liberal value, one I am proud to endorse today. On behalf of David Swann and the Official Opposition, I hope that each and every delegate enjoys a rewarding, fulfilling Rendez-vous.