SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Chéticamp, Nova Scotia

Honourable senators, first of all, I would like to highlight last Friday’s Supreme Court of Canada ruling that the position of Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick must be filled by a person who speaks both of the province’s official languages. This ruling is an important milestone for the recognition of the Acadian people and their place in this country.

Today, I want to highlight the remarkable resilience of an Acadian community that has spent more than three decades fighting for the political representation it considered fair and necessary.

After more than 30 years of campaigning, appearances before four electoral boundaries commissions, as well as a case before the Supreme Court and an appeal to the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, a bilingual MLA will be elected for the first time in 100 years. Since 1925, no MLA elected in the former riding of Inverness has been Acadian or able to speak French.

In the early 1990s, the people of Chéticamp began campaigning for a riding recognized for its Acadian character. The commission at the time recommended the creation of four protected ridings — Clare, Argyle, Richmond and Preston — but not Chéticamp. The province accepted this recommendation, recognizing the importance of ensuring effective representation for Nova Scotia’s Acadian and Black communities.

In 2019, a new commission was established following the Supreme Court decision recommending the creation of a special riding encompassing the communities from Pleasant Bay to Margarees, including Chéticamp. As a result, the Acadian community’s electoral weight increased from 13% to 34%.

This victory is now a reality. Next week, on June 23, 2026, voters in this new riding will be able to choose between four bilingual candidates of Acadian origin representing the province’s main political parties. For the first time in over a century, the people of the Chéticamp region will be able to communicate with their provincial MLA in the official language of their choice.

I would point out, however, that this progress comes amid a significant decline in the francophone community’s demographic weight over the past 30 years, with the number of individuals who speak French at home dropping by more than 43% between 1990 and 2021.

To Acadians from Chéticamp and the surrounding region, I want to say this: Your commitment to your language and your culture is an inspiring example for all of Canada’s francophone communities. Personally, I’m looking forward to June 23, 2026, the day when a bilingual Acadian provincial MLA will finally take their place alongside the MLAs representing the province’s other Acadian regions.

Thank you. Wela’lioq.