Honourable colleagues, today I want to tell you about a major event taking place in my province from August 10 to 18, the Congrès mondial acadien.

This important celebration of Acadian culture, history and traditions will take place this year in southwestern Nova Scotia, in the Argyle and St. Mary’s Bay regions that I talked to you about last week.

The Argyle region includes many small towns that would be happy to accommodate you during the congress: Surettes Island, Quinan, Wedgeport, Pubnico, Pointe-du-Sault and Amiraults Hill. This region, known as Cape Sable Island, was colonized by the French in 1740.

Ever since the first Congrès mondial acadien in 1994, this event has been a fixture for the Acadian community, which was scattered around the world during the deportation in 1755. It takes place every five years in various places with a significant Acadian presence, such as the Acadian peninsula, Louisiana, southeastern and northeastern New Brunswick and, this year, Nova Scotia.

This unique event brings together thousands of participants from all walks of life to spend time sharing, talking and strengthening the ties that bind them. The event’s rich and varied program includes cultural activities, lectures, performances, exhibitions and official ceremonies.

Famed singer-songwriter Zachary Richard from Louisiana will give the opening address, and the Salebarbes, an Acadian band from the Magdalen Islands, will put on a show.

The Congrès mondial acadien, or CMA, is also an opportunity for the Acadian diaspora to reconnect with its roots. The family reunions, called “retours aux sources,” are about sharing roots and traditions and enable participants to rediscover their family history, meet distant relatives and strengthen the sense of belonging to the great Acadian family; the Entremont, Muise, Eon, Amirault, Babineau, Granger, Léger, Gallant, Breaux and many other families will be there.

The CMA and National Acadian Day, celebrated on August 15, are our way of saying that even though the Acadian people no longer have a country, “we are still here,” as author Antonine Maillet’s la Sagouine so aptly says.

The CMA offers a forum for discussing contemporary issues, including the protection of linguistic rights, the economic development of Acadian regions and the promotion of cultural heritage.

Honourable senators, I invite you to come to Nova Scotia from August 10 to 18, 2024, to celebrate with me and my fellow citizens and enjoy the warm welcome that Acadians will give you. Thank you.