SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Nova Scotia Heritage Day

Esteemed colleagues, Monday, February 16, is Nova Scotia Heritage Day, a statutory holiday that celebrates the province’s unique history and contributions, honouring a specific individual or event each year.

This year, the honouree is Joseph Willie Comeau, an Acadian educator, entrepreneur, legislator and senator born in Comeauville in Baie Sainte-Marie, Nova Scotia, in 1876.

First elected as an MLA in 1907, he was a proud Acadian who represented his riding in the Nova Scotia Legislature for 38 years, having been elected nine times. He was known as a tireless advocate for Acadian language, culture and education.

He was later appointed to the Canadian Senate, where he served from 1948 to 1966. He was the very first Acadian from Nova Scotia to be appointed to the Senate.

He dedicated his life to preserving and recognizing Acadian history and culture.

For over four centuries, Acadians have shaped the land, memory and identity of Nova Scotia. Their history is marked by a great tragedy, the 1755 deportation, which forced families from their homes in an attempt to erase a people from their own land. However, despite the exile and suffering, Acadia never disappeared.

Université Sainte-Anne perfectly illustrates how the Acadian heritage is passed on. For over 130 years, it has been training generations of leaders, teachers and community builders, such as our two former colleagues, Senators Joseph Willie Comeau and Gerald J. Comeau. This institution promotes the French language and Acadian culture in Nova Scotia and far beyond. In fact, we are fortunate to have a former dean of the university among us, Senator Allister W. Surette.

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Black History Month. The Black community in Nova Scotia makes a critical contribution to the province’s heritage through its historical presence, civil rights struggles and rich cultural, social and community heritage.

In New Glasgow, in 1946, Viola Desmond courageously challenged racial segregation by refusing to leave a seat reserved for White people in a movie theatre. This act of dignity marked one of Canada’s first civil rights struggles in Canada.

Ms. Desmond was honoured at the first Nova Scotia Heritage Day on February 16, 2015. On this Nova Scotia Heritage Day, we pay tribute to the outstanding contributions of Joseph Willie Comeau and Viola Desmond.

Thank you.