February 23, 2010
FREDERICTON (CNB) – The leaders of the three jurisdictions hosting the 2014 Congrès Mondial Acadien, l’Acadie des Terres et Forêts, discussed the event during the recent Council of the Federation mission to Washington.
Premier Shawn Graham, Quebec Premier Jean Charest and Maine Governor John Baldacci agreed to instruct their respective officials to hold a preliminary meeting in March.
L’Acadie des Terres et Forêts will be held in an area encompassing northern Maine, Témiscouata, Que., and northwestern New Brunswick. For this reason, the leaders agreed that their respective jurisdictions would follow a co-ordinated approach in assisting with the organizers of the event.
“New Brunswick had the pleasure of hosting the latest congrès mondial on the Acadian Peninsula and, thanks to the support of our strong Acadian community, the event was an unparalleled success,” said Graham. “Our government was a major funding partner in the last congrès mondial, and, in my discussions with Premier Charest and Governor Baldacci, I made it clear that investments in the next congrès mondial Acadien would be money well spent.”
Graham also discussed the importance of the francophone community in New Brunswick.
“The Acadian and francophone communities have been key to New Brunswick’s development, helping to make our province a model of cultural diversity,” said Graham. “They will continue to be extremely important as we work to build a self-sufficient New Brunswick.”
Baldacci pointed to the important role that the Acadian community plays in Maine.
“About one-third of the state of Maine is Franco-American,” he said. “They are very proud of their ancestry. We’re very excited to be hosting this event. Premier Graham and I spoke about how great the last event was for economic development and tourism and, at the same time, for pride of heritage.”