Mr. Speaker, my riding, Etobicoke Centre, is in Toronto.
My family is not francophone, but we are francophiles. When I was growing up, my parents were determined that I would learn French. They believed that an appreciation of both official languages was part of who we are as Canadians. However, since my public school board did not offer a French immersion program, my family sent me to a private French school, the Toronto French School, where I received my education in French.
It is clear to our francophone communities that it will take much more than a symbol and the ability to speak French to make sure we achieve the most important thing, that is, true equality for our two official languages. For that reason, and to protect the French language and culture, we must take action to provide access to justice, services and education in French across Canada. The white paper tabled by our Minister of Official Languages presents a plan that does exactly that. Our government is proposing tangible measures to support our francophone communities and to support who we are as Canadians, today and in the future.