SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Francophonie Month

Honourable senators, for me, Francophonie Month is an opportunity to celebrate the French language and recognize the resilience of those who carry it in their hearts, day after day, across Canada, in francophone minority communities and in Quebec.

Even in an officially bilingual country like Canada, living in French is never guaranteed. It means making daily choices, defending schools, demanding services, creating French cultural spaces and passing our language and identity on to our children. It also means helping them feel as though they belong to this family that is united by the beautiful French language.

Today, I am deeply moved to rise as an Acadian. Although the deportation is a black mark on our history, the French language survived thanks to the resilience of our brave ancestors who refused to disappear.

For me, the Clare region, which is located along Baie Sainte-Marie in Nova Scotia, is a powerful example of that resilience. Who hasn’t heard of the bands Grand Dérangement and Blou? If you aren’t familiar with P’tit Belliveau, you need to check him out.

The Clare region, like many other Acadian regions in my province, such as Isle Madame, Argyle, Pomquet, Tor Bay and Chéticamp, continues to live in French, despite the many challenges it faces.

I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize an important celebration that is taking place in my community this week: Mi‑Carême, the midpoint of Lent. During this week, locals dress up in masks and colourful costumes and go from house to house singing, dancing and teasing their hosts, who try to guess who they are.

Celebrating Francophonie Month means recognizing that linguistic duality is the lifeblood of our country. All month, French-language performances, films and plays will be put on in Ontario, Western Canada, Quebec and Acadia.

As senators, we also have a responsibility, in my view, to ensure that language rights are respected and strengthened, particularly in places where French is still vulnerable.

In closing, I’d like to note that, as part of the Francophonie Month celebrations, representatives from the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada will be mounting an exhibit in the Senate foyer on March 24 and 25. I encourage everyone to stop by and learn more about the reality of francophones in Canada.

Thank you. Meegwetch.