"St. Jean-Baptiste Day is a day of great celebration for the millions of French-Canadians, Francophones and Francophiles in Canada. For each of us, it is a special opportunity to celebrate our attachment to an identity and heritage whose vitality and dynamism can be felt from coast to coast.

This year, our celebration of St. Jean-Baptiste Day is made even more joyous by the fact that, a few days from now, Canada will play host for the second time in the space of two years to an important gathering of the international Francophonie. Les Jeux de La Francophonie, which will be held in the greater National Capital Region, will bring together more than 2600 athletes and artists representing some fifty states and governments. Together, they mirror Canada’s Francophonie — modern, proud of its history, rich in its diversity and open to the world.

It is in this spirit of pride and celebration that Aline and I would like to wish everyone a very happy St. Jean-Baptiste Day."