March 11, 2010
MLA Proclaims Francophone Day in B.C.

VICTORIA- Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton spoke in the Legislature today to announce the proclamation of the province’s Francophone Day.

“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am pleased to announce the proclamation of March 20, 2010, as Francophone Day in British Columbia.

“Since the House will not be sitting next week, this event was celebrated at lunch here today in the rotunda. The theme for Francophone Day is 'francophone immigration'.

“The province had the pleasure to recognize two francophone immigrants: Sophie Aubugeau, coordinator, Connection Centre for Francophone Immigrants; and Pascal Courty, assistant professor, University of Victoria, participants in the provincial nominee program at lunch today, for their contribution to B.C.’s economic, social and cultural development.

“The event was hosted by my colleague the Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations, who is also responsible for francophone affairs.

“Today’s proclamation of B.C. Francophone Day honours the hundreds of thousands of British Columbians who have embraced the French language.

“In the past weeks about half of the Olympic athletes who made us proud to be Canadian were francophones from all parts of the country. The Paralympians will also include anglophones and francophones representing the country.

“The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is happy to be a member of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, an international association of French-speaking parliamentarians.

“Please join me in congratulating and thanking British Columbia’s French speakers for their contribution to our province and country. Thank you.”

For the full script in French and English, please visit the Hansard website.

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