SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Acadian Remembrance Day

Honourable senators, unfortunately, Canada is built on far too many tragic incidents and hardship, and the victims still carry the pain and scars of those indignities to this day.

On December 13, Acadian Remembrance Day, we commemorate the countless victims of the Great Upheaval, particularly those who perished on the Violet, Ruby and Duke William in December 1758.

The Great Upheaval took place in the 18th century and is a tragic episode in our collective history. More than 10,000 Acadians were deported between 1755 and 1763.

These sombre events still live in our collective memory, but they also give us the opportunity to move forward with determination into the future. Acadia is alive and well today thanks to its culture, French language, institutions and engaged citizens.

And yet, this francophone people that landed on the shores of the Atlantic more than four centuries ago has no clear anchor in our constitutional and legislative texts. Acadians are part of our official language minority communities, of course, but they are first and foremost a people with a unique culture, language and vitality.

At a time when the French language is so fragile in our country, let’s ensure, honourable senators, that these French-Canadian people have access to an education system in their language, from early childhood to post-secondary, and that they are fully recognized in our democratic institutions.

In closing, senators, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy and restful holiday season. And if I may, colleagues, with the respect I have for all senators, allow me to share this thought.

I hope that in 2024 we spend less time trying to define who is an independent in this chamber and who is not, because I doubt Canadians are really interested in this type of debate. It is not for me, or anyone else here, to define our colleagues’ identity.

Recently, we heard lots of talk about the so-called independent senators. In my humble opinion, it’s a political game with little fertility and little respect for the parliamentarians who dedicate themselves to this august chamber. With all due respect, senators, let us move away from a certain type of discourse and let us focus on what really concerns Canadians.

In 2024, I also encourage us to continue our legislative work with strength and determination to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged in our country. I ask that we become increasingly united in an effort to provide our children and future generations with a healthy, safe future on a healthy and still habitable planet.

This independent Acadian senator sincerely thanks you all. I wish you a joyful holiday season, and I wish a happy birthday to Senator Petitclerc.