large Acadian section up in the western end ofthe Island of St. Edwards, St. Louis, and Miminegash area.

As a matter of fact my name, too, Pat Murphy, wouldn't indicate that there's

any French blood in me, but there is. My grandmother was a Thibodeau from the Miminegash area. Although l don't speak it l’ve taken Iessons. I'd like t0 be able to say a few words in French here today, but l’m not that brave yet t0 try it. Along with several of my other colleagues here, we’ve been taking French Iessons and picking up a Iittle bit, slowly but steady.

Ihad the privilege of attending ofthe opening of the new DeBlois school, the new French school up in DeBlois. I know that even a lot of non-Acadian people are seeing the advantage as having French as a second language. They’re sending their children t0 these schools. The pride was very evident at the opening of this school how proud the Acadian people are of their French culture.

lt's very good t0 know it’s alive and well here on Prince Edward lsland today. |'|| just give you a little example of the Acadian hospitality. Our red tide hockey team had the privilege of playing up in Evangeline and we did win, but after the game we were treated to a little bit of Acadian hospitality. We had the chance to taste some of the traditional Acadian tare, such as chicken tricot and râpure. Although in the Miminegash area we call râpure, the Minister 0l Agriculture referred to it awhile ago, we call it (lndistinct) in that area.

As a kid growing up, many occasions my mom would cook bannock in the oven and there's nothing like dipping bannock in hot molasses when it comes out of the oven.

l'm proud to stand and support this motion. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Some Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Speaker: Are there any other members who care to speak to the motion before | move t0 the mover t0 close debate?

The hon. Premier to close debate. Premier Ghiz: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madame la Présidente, c'est mon plaisir d'être ici aujourd’hui pour former la discussion au sujet de cette motion.

2008

Madam Speaker, | am pleased to be here today to close discussion on this motion.

But like the hon. Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour did, l'm going t0 talk just for a couple of minutes on some of my memories, too.

lalso remember Angèle Arsenault singing. My grade l teacher used t0 play that record quite a bit. l'm not sure if you had the same, Rémi et Aline was our grade l book. lcan remember that. Justto show you

the influence that when you’re in French immersion, and |'|| say this, small class size, which we're trying to get towards, a small class size in this province of 15 to l, and l know our class was probably19. lt was much smallerthan the other English classes.

Iremember Mlle. Lynn was my grade l teacher. Mme. Murphy, who is actually Shawn Murphy’s wife, was there partially for grade 2, along with Mme. Gallant. Grade 3, I had Mme. MacKenzie and Mme.Sharon. Grade 4, M. Poirier et puis M. Poirier maintenant je pense travaille à l'école à Deblois. Il était l à pour un petit peu de temps et puis -

Mr. Poirier, and Mr. Poirier now works at the DeBlois school, | believe. He was there fora while and then in grade 5 l had Mme. Westlock, who Ithink might still work for the department; she did for a while. Then in grade 6 Mr. Galloway, j’avais M. Galloway et puis M. Galloway maintenant travail/e à (/ndistinct) etpuis -

in grade six l had Mr. Galloway and Mr. Galloway now works at (lndistinct) and - you know, growing up in that environment of French immersion gave us a lot of opportunities, it opened up a lot of doors.

ltwas great t0 be able to learn aboutthe Acadian traditions, and the Francophone traditions, and lthink it was truly something that was great. l actually went to West Kent. l might as well — maybe the hon. Member lrom Georgetown-St. Peters will get ready for a conflict of interest coming up, but l went to West Kent. There's no French immersion currently et West Kent, it's now over at Spring Park full time. Hopefully, knock on wood, sometime I'll have a family and might have to change that policy. We'll see what happens. Just ioking. llndistinct) only be changed.

Soma Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

LA PETITE SOUVENANCE

Premier Ghiz: That’ll only be changed if the demand's there. l'Il leave that up t0 the department.

lt truly is a great contribution that our Acadian and Francophone community make here on Prince Edward lsland. l think whereveryou go across Prince Edward Island you can see the impact that's there, even up in the Souris area. Souris, we have an incredible community there. If you look at ourtourism department, the majority of our visitors corne from la Belle Province, du Québec - la Belle Province, in Ouebec. They come here because they can get - they’re comfortable here. Of course, we’re on the way t0 les Îles de la Madeleine if they want t0 take the ferry. There's just so much they contribute.

Iknow that we have to move faster in proclaiming the act. | know that there’s a lot ofthings thatwe can improve, and l can assure everyone that what we're going t0 dois work as hard as we can and as fast as we can to make sure that we resolve a lot ofthose issues still out there. Like was mentioned, it's unfortunate that we have

to recognize this day because of a tragedy that took place at 250 years ago, but it’s also nice that we're able t0 stand up here and recognize the great contribution that the Acadian and Francophone communities make t0 Prince Edward Island.

So with that | will close. Thank you. Merci beaucoup. Some Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Speaker: Hon. members, you‘ve heard the debate on the motion.

Are you ready for the question? Some Hon. Members: Question. Speaker: The question's been called.

All those voting againstthe motion, please signify by saying 'nay.’

All in favour ofthe motion, signify by saying 'aye.’

Some Hon. Members: Aye!

Speaker: The motion is carried, and it is unanimous.

Some Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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