Nearly forty years have passed since March 20, 1970, when Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau made the historic commitment, on behalf of Canada, to join 19 other nations in founding the Francophonie. Today, alongside over 70 members and millions of francophones from every continent, we mark this anniversary and celebrate the French language and culture that continue to bring us together.
The Francophonie has deep roots throughout Canada. Our French language heritage unites communities in every province and territory, from l’Anse-à-Canards in Newfoundland and Labrador to Saint-Boniface in Manitoba, from Quebec to Sudbury, Ontario, and from Maillardville, British Columbia to Saint-Paul, Alberta.
On this occasion, we proudly come together with all members of the Francophonie to promote linguistic and cultural diversity, and to strengthen the bonds of partnership for global peace and prosperity that the founders of the Francophonie set out to achieve.
Throughout its history, the Francophonie has provided a unique forum to address global issues that transcend cultures and borders. The founding nations, in their foresight, recognized that a shared language and the common understanding this could foster provided a basis for dialogue and cooperation that would promote peace and good governance among its members.
Today, from economic governance and the environment, to education and human rights, the Francophonie continues to challenge us to find common solutions and provide hope to the most vulnerable members of the international community.
On behalf of the Liberal Party and our Parliamentary caucus, it is with great enthusiasm that we join the millions of francophones commemorating the Journée internationale de la Francophonie and the proud achievements of the Francophonie today and still to come.
