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March 11, 2002
OTTAWA - The Honourable Lucienne Robillard, President of the
Treasury Board of Canada and Member of Parliament for Westmount-Ville-Marie,
today officially launched Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie
2002 in the federal public service. Les Rendez-vous will
take place throughout the country from March 11 to 24.
"Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie are a vast celebration
of the vitality of the French language and culture in Canada," Madame
Robillard stated before more than 500 invited guests gathered at the
National Arts Centre. "Our linguistic duality has helped to shape and
define the Canadian experience for generations. It has made us what we are
as a people and a country. It is part of our national soul."
Madame Robillard expressed her belief that, in many ways, linguistic
duality is as much a part of our national identity as our democratic
institutions, legal institutions and social programs. In her view, the
Government of Canada has to work with Francophones and Anglophones alike
to ensure that the French language continues to be a very real and
apparent part of everyday life in this country.
"Obviously, the Public Service of Canada is central to any efforts
to promote a more bilingual Canada," added the Minister.
"Promoting and sustaining the bilingual nature of the public service
is an important priority in this exercise. On this there can be no
compromise. The Public Service of Canada is, and will always be, a
bilingual institution. That being said, we certainly need to be more
active in the way we promote the use of the French language in the federal
workplace. It needs to be a more prominent feature of daily activity.
"I am troubled when I hear that many Francophones still do not
feel comfortable working in their mother tongue," Madame Robillard
observed. "We need to stop doing this. We need to be proud of our
language and not hesitate to exercise our right to use it in our
work."
She continued: "It is important to note that this is not simply a
concern for Francophone public service employees. Promoting bilingualism
should be every public servant's duty, both Francophone and Anglophone.
We need to encourage a greater spirit of collaboration and openness
between colleagues."
Other notable guests contributed to the success of this official
launch. Well-known actor and singer Robert Marien delivered a lively
tribute to the French language. He offered a spoof on French author Victor
Hugo - whose 200th birthday is being celebrated this year - and the
musical comedy Les Misérables, inspired by Hugo's novel.
Assisting him were actor Gilles Provost and the La Boîte à chansons
choir, directed by Yvon Thibodeau from Gatineau.
The silver medallist in the poetry competition of Les Jeux de la
Francophonie 2001, Stefan Psenak of Aylmer, Quebec, wrote an ode to
the French language for the occasion. His work was read by actor Éric
Paulhus of Montréal. Mention was also made of different initiatives
related to the techno-linguistic sector, including the launch of a new
Canadian Language Management Site. The artistic component of the event was
capped by performances by La Corde de Bois from Pays-d'en-Haut,
Quebec, and the musical duo, Les Ouimet, from Ottawa. The event was
hosted by television director and arts commentator Julie Huard and Marc
Charbonneau, host of the Radio-Canada program Expresso.
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For more information on activities related to Les Rendez-vous de la
Francophonie 2002 in your region, visit the web site at: http://rvf.ca/index.cfm?Repertoire_No=1541667603.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Grenier
Press Secretary
Office of the President of the Treasury Board of Canada
(613) 957-2666
Chantal Prévost
Media Relations
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
(613) 957-2391
IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE
ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL
PREVAIL.
TTY (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired) - (613)
957-9090
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