Hon. Bernadette Clement: Honourable senators, I want to thank Senator Moodie for so ably sponsoring this important bill and answering questions.

I want to stand briefly to support my colleague Senator Cormier’s amendment. I am going to stand every time there is an opportunity to ensure that Canada’s official languages and Indigenous languages are respected, given their due and properly protected.

I’ve spoken at length in the context of the modernization of the Official Languages Act about how important it is that space be made for Indigenous languages. I am so heartened and pleased to see Bill C-35 specifically allocate long-term funding for early learning and child care programs and services for Indigenous peoples. I hope that this is an opportunity for the transmission of Indigenous languages at a crucial age for young people.

As a woman living with intersectionality, I speak often about the impacts of colonialism and how oppressed peoples are starved of the basics and told, over and over again, that there is not enough for everyone.

I do not believe that to be true. Everyone can and should get a healthy piece of the pie because there is more than enough for us all.

[Translation]

There is more than enough for us all.

[English]

Let language and culture not be another battleground where we fight amongst each other for recognition. Let us direct our efforts towards the federal, provincial and territorial governments. Let us send a strong message that we stand together in solidarity, in commitment, towards the health of our languages — all of our languages.

Senator Cormier’s amendment ensures long-term funding for official language minority communities, and I do hope that you will stand with us in supporting it.