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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 55

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
April 7, 2022 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 55 - Apr/7/22
Mr. Denis Trudel (Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, BQ)
  • Apr/7/22 1:33:46 p.m.
  • Watch
  • Re: Bill C-14 
Madam Speaker, we often hear the argument that Quebec is well represented because we have the Prime Minister and ministers. I would simply like to point out to my colleague that the Island of Montreal is experiencing a serious housing crisis, with 25,000 people waiting for low-income housing. However, the Island of Montreal is represented by the Prime Minister and six senior ministers, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Canadian Heritage. This is significant, but despite this, the crisis has continued for seven years, so having ministers is not the answer to everything. I want to talk about the French language. My colleague must be sensitive to this in Nova Scotia. According to the numbers, the status of French in Quebec is so precarious that the percentage of people whose mother tongue is French may drop to just 69% by 2036, which might as well be tomorrow. If we do not use this bill as an opportunity to protect our political weight, if we do not stand up for ourselves, we will never be able to protect the French language. I would like to hear my colleague's thoughts on this.
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Context: House Hansard - 55 - Apr/7/22
Mr. Kody Blois
  • Apr/7/22 1:34:47 p.m.
  • Watch
  • Re: Bill C-14 
Madam Speaker, first of all, I agree that policies must be adopted to preserve the French language. That is why I try very hard to speak French here and to learn the language. Policies favouring francophone immigration are also very important, not only in Quebec, but also outside Quebec, elsewhere in Canada, to preserve the French language. With regard to what my colleague said about ministers and the problems in Montreal, my answer is simple. The Legault government and many of the MNAs have a hand in this, but I think some other social problems are at play, and opportunities do exist. I find that part of the question a little odd.
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