Quebec is a dynamic, creative and unique nation in the world. We are the flagship of the French language in America. It is what distinguishes us from the rest of the continent and from the rest of the world.
Unfortunately, signs that our national language is running out of steam have abounded for years. The latest Statistics Canada report, published in August 2022, is unequivocal: French is declining everywhere in Quebec and Canada. We must act. And now !
The Action Group for the Future of the French Language (GAALF) was created for this purpose last January. Its mission is to take all necessary means to slow down, stop and then reverse the decline of the French language in Quebec.
We speak, create and exchange in French on our territory for more than 400 years. It is our historical duty to prolong this linguistic presence for centuries to come. The very future of our nation depends on it.
We are therefore taking advantage of the International Day of La Francophonie, which will be celebrated on Monday, to commit ourselves to continuing our efforts to protect and promote the French language, but also to continue to teach it as best as possible and to share it with immigrants who come to live in Quebec and who will enrich it, in turn, with their accents and their particularities.
We are also committed to perpetuating our relations with other French-speaking societies around the world to strengthen this language on all continents. Because like the ecological diversity that must be preserved on our planet, cultural diversity is a source of wealth for all humans. And in this area, Quebec is leading a fight that has global repercussions.
Quebec needs the Francophonie. And the Francophonie needs Quebec.
French is the fifth language in the world. It is spoken by over 320 million people worldwide. It is also the third business language on the planet. It is an enormous advantage for Quebec to create economic ties both in Europe and in Africa, where this language is expected to expand in the decades to come. We must also take advantage of this to promote our culture as much as possible beyond our borders.
Particular attention must be paid to our youth, who are very connected to English-language digital platforms. Even if the battle is difficult, we cannot give up. We must try by all means to pass on our love of the language and our culture to future generations. In schools, at home and on all media.
Because our culture is who we are. It tells our story and our uniqueness. Through our accent and our words, in a rich and beautiful language. The language of Michel Tremblay, Marie-Claire Blais, Kim Thúy and Gaston Miron. The language with which we love, we cry and we dream. The one that names our ambitions, our hopes, our fears and our emotions.
But safeguarding and promoting the French language are not solely government responsibilities. We also call on citizens to use it as often as possible in private and public space. To read it, to write it, to speak it and to listen to it on a daily basis. To always seek to better control it and love it. And to share it with Quebecers of all ages and backgrounds.
So, let’s take advantage of this day to celebrate our magnificent French language, the one that unites us, defines us and allows us to live in harmony in Quebec.