Hon. Michèle Audette: I will be brief.

[Editor’s Note: Senator Audette spoke in an Indigenous language.]

We are on the unceded territory of several nations who speak the language of the Innu, the Atikamekw, the Maliseet, the Abenaki, the Wendat and the Wolastoqey.

Thank you very much, Senator Cormier, for talking about the importance of Indigenous languages. The recognition of these languages is a principle of reconciliation. Given that these are founding languages, how could we make sure to include the nations in your beautiful region, the Wolastoquey and the Maliseet and, of course, the Mi’kmaq, in this bill? I invite everyone to join the conversation, to consult and to debate this issue because, in many generations, you and I will be proud of the fact that we finally acknowledged that Canada has many other important languages, in particular the languages of the First Peoples.