(OTTAWA) - Today, on this International Day de la Francophonie, the Green Party of Canada celebrates the rich French legacy in this country. The French language is part of what defines Canada. Great protectors and promoters of French in North America like Quebec – where living in French is a right – in New Brunswick, and within Canadian government are acting together to keep this language and its culture alive in our institutions, workplaces and homes.
However, the predominant English culture in North America means we must actively work to halt the erosion of French in Canada. The Green Party notes the overall loss of the use of French in New Brunswick and Ontario since 2006, and asks that federal programs that support Francophone communities in Manitoba, Alberta, Nova Scotia and throughout Canada be strengthened.
“Journée internationale de la francophonie provides an opportunity to highlight the contribution of Francophone Canadians who have shaped a diversified and dynamic Canada,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich–Gulf Islands). “This is also the time to ask that our government do even more to promote French throughout Canada. As Leader of the Green Party of Canada, I am also committed to giving French its place in our party,” Ms. May said.
This year, the theme of the Day is “The power of words.” It was chosen as a form of resistance to the terrorist attacks in Mali, France, Belgium, Cameroun, Tunisia, Niger, Canada, Chad, Lebanon, Burkina Faso, Burundi and other member countries of the Francophonie.
"Francophonie peoples and countries have kept alive one of the richest cultural heritages of our civilizations," said Daniel Green, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada. "But beyond cultural wealth and through solidarity, Francophone countries unite to support one another as we go through difficult times."
As Michëlle Jean, Secretary General of la Francophonie and former Governor General of Canada, said so well: "(...) let us take advantage of this March 20 to transform our common language into a language of resistance, by giving all their meaning and all their power to the words that link us and unite us,. All words speak to us, but some more than others, because they express the deepest essence of our human condition. Liberty; equality; solidarity; fraternity; diversity; universality. Let us hear those words resound with strength."
Celebrated on March 20 every year, International Day de la Francophonie is an initiative of the International Francophonie Organization.
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For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Dan Palmer
Attaché de presse | Press Secretary
Parti vert du Canada
cellulaire : (613) 614 4916
dan.palmer@greenparty.ca