Honourable senators, I am extremely proud to rise today to pay tribute to a pillar of francophone vitality in my province, the Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse, or FANE.

Founded in 1968, FANE plays an essential role in defending and promoting the rights, language and culture of minority Acadian and francophone communities in Nova Scotia. It acts as a spokesperson, while fostering the development of strong institutions and vibrant communities across the province. This is no easy feat for a province whose Acadian and francophone minority represents 3.8% of the population.

FANE is the voice of those in communities, such as Clare, Chéticamp, Argyle, Isle Madame, the south shore region, Tor Bay and Pomquet, who continue to live proudly in French despite everyday challenges.

Among FANE’s many accomplishments, I’d like to mention the key role it played in creating homogenous French schools and setting up the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial, which enables our children to be educated entirely in French. I’d also like to mention its active participation in obtaining protected provincial ridings for Acadian regions and government services under the French-language Services Act.

FANE also played a pivotal role in having Nova Scotia’s Acadian community recognized as an essential partner in implementing linguistic and cultural polices within the provincial government and federal institutions. It also contributed to the creation of collaborative agreements between Canada and Nova Scotia in the area of francophone community development and the active promotion of linguistic duality as a fundamental value of our country.

Today, Senator Surette and I are very proud to acknowledge the presence in the gallery of Denise Comeau-Desautels, chair of FANE. As Acadian senators from Nova Scotia, we are proud to welcome you to the Senate.

Your dedication and your leadership deeply inspire all those who believe in the richness of the French fact in Canada.

Dear colleagues, FANE embodies the resilience, pride, and creativity of the Acadian people. I invite you to join me in commending its remarkable work in making the voice of Nova Scotian Acadians heard.

Thank you. Welalin.