Over the past several weeks, our provincial Francophone school board, the Conseil scolaire, has been celebrating its 10^th anniversary and I am pleased to rise today to offer congratulations to the board on behalf of this Honourable House.

In fact, some members of this House have joined in the celebrations. Minister Sullivan visited the French school here in St. John�s. The MHA for Port au Port celebrated with the school in Cap Saint-Georges and the MHA for Labrador West joined the Francophone community in Labrador City.

Over the past 10 years, much has happened in the area of French first-language education. One of the keys to a vibrant Francophone community in Newfoundland and Labrador is a strong French first-language education system. We now have five French first-language schools in the province, and I was pleased to recently announce a $2.2 million investment to replace the Francophone school in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Enrolment in French first-language schools is growing with a seven per cent increase over last year. Francophone education is truly coming into its own.

In addition, this government has contributed $10,000 to the R�seau culturel francophone, a cultural network that serves Francophone artists in the province, $10,000 to the production of a French-language tourism guide, and over $19,000 to Place aux Jeunes, an ongoing project aimed at attracting and retaining young Francophones on the Port au Port peninsula. These are just a few examples of how the Provincial Government and the Francophone community are working together to ensure the growth of French language in this province.

On behalf of all honourable members, I offer congratulations to students, parents, teachers and the entire Francophone community for 10 successful years of promoting French language and culture in our province, and best wishes for continued growth.