News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER CELEBRATES ACADIAN CULTURE AT HUGE ANNUAL FESTIVAL ACADIEN

August 15, 2007
CARAQUET, NB

Prime Minister Stephen Harper joined thousands of revellers today at the annual Festival Acadien and gave a speech celebrating the long, rich history of Acadian culture in Canada.

Noting that the first European settlers in Canada were the French colonists of Ile Ste-Croix between Maine and New Brunswick, Prime Minister Harper observed that Canada was born French. Over the centuries, he added, the French language and culture has flourished in communities across the country because of the courage, energy and tenacity of the original francophone Canadians and their descendants.

"The battle for the survival and vitality of the French fact in Canada was fought and won by communities like Caraquet and many other Acadian communities," the Prime Minister said. "Long before Canada's founding, it was Acadian men and women who provided the most impressive example of the loyalty of a community to its values and its culture."

On the world scene, Prime Minister Harper noted, the mutual enriching of the two languages and the two cultures is recognized as one of Canada's signature accomplishments and most important assets.

Prime Minister Harper concluded his remarks by asserting that Canada's New Government is firmly committed to supporting bilingualism and minority language communities across the country where bilingualism is a daily reality.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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