Ottawa, ON — The Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Official Opposition, released the following statement on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day: 

“Every year, June 24th brings a feeling of immense pride and excitement as francophones across the country come together to celebrate the richness of francophone culture.  

“For centuries, the nation of Quebec and Canada’s many francophone communities have been at the heart of our history and heritage. Across our great country and indeed around the world, the French language serves as an important pillar of Canada’s national pride and a critical element of our unique culture.  

“Today, Canada is blessed to be home to a growing community of over 10 million Francophones who use the beauty of their language to colour every corner of our country with the richness of French through art, literature, film and music.  

“On Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, I join these incredible Canadians in honouring our French origins and in taking pride in my own Fransaskois roots. As Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, I will fight every battle to ensure that we protect and preserve this incredible inheritance for generations to come. 

“Today, as celebrations are underway in every corner of the country — from the streets of Montreal and Hawkesbury to the rural towns of the Acadian Maritimes, Saint-Boniface, and Gravelbourg — we are all linked together by this incredible language that unites us from one ocean to another.  

“To our Quebecois friends and to all francophones that are celebrating Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, I send my best wishes as you take part in today’s special festivities.”