Today, there are only 20 million people on this very continent who speak a minority language in their own country, compared to 50 million at the turn of the century. Therefore, it is vitally important to find new ways of protecting our respective national identities so that we can continue to hear our country's history spoken in the language of our people. As a mother, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of domestic content and culture. Canadian children spend three hours a day in front of a TV set. The richness and diversity of our national cultures constitute a real treasure for humanity as a whole.
Cultural diversity is the heart and soul of Canada.
We are a microcosm of the world. Canadians trace our roots back to more than a hundred different ethnic groups. Our Members of Parliament come from a host of cultural backgrounds and linguistic origins. Our Olympic team comprised athletes born in 24 different countries and yet are all proudly Canadian. We want to encourage a cultural sector that is open to outside influences, while at the same time preserving a rich heritage and a society that is pluralistic in terms of both culture and language.