OTTAWA - The Liberal Party would make bilingualism one of its priorities if it wins the next election, leader Stephane Dion said Saturday during a summit for francophones living outside of Quebec.
"Linguistic duality would be an integral part of the action taken by the government that I will lead," Dion told about 700 representatives of minority communities from across Canada.
"Official languages would be promoted as an opportunity and an asset rather than a burden and an obstacle."
Dion, who once served as minister responsible for francophone affairs, said he would revive the court challenges program and double its budget to about $11.2 million in two years.
The program, introduced by former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, helped finance legal battles initiated by minority groups - primarily linguistic groups - to contest decisions by the federal and provincial governments.
The Conservatives chopped the program last fall, sparking protest from francophones outside of Quebec as well as other groups dedicated to defending minority rights.
The cut is being studied by a permanent committee responsible for official languages.
Dion said an eventual Liberal government would initiate a party plan drawn up in 2003, which called for new investments for linguistic minorities, such as in education and cultural life.
A Liberal government would also sign new agreements with the provinces to ensure they take account of special needs in certain communities, he said.
The Liberal leader did not mention the cost of these proposals, but a member of his entourage said the investment into the plan would reach above $750 million over its five-year lifespan.
"We will complete the work we started," Dion said. "We will put the Conservatives' inaction behind us and substitute it with Liberal action."
The summit, which ends Sunday, features two days of workshops on topics including demography, culture and francophone infrastructures outside of Quebec.
This is the first time such a summit has been held.
