Acting Executive Director Appointed

Acadian Affairs Minister Neil LeBlanc has announced the appointment of Kenneth Gaudet of Meteghan as acting executive director of the Office of Acadian Affairs.

Mr. Gaudet retired in 1996 as superintendent of the Clare Argyle School Board. He also has approximately 30 years experience as a teacher and principal in the public education system.

Mr. LeBlanc said Mr. Gaudet will serve until a permanent executive director is appointed following an open competition. "Until then," he said, "there are lots of cultural, educational and tourism-related issues to be addressed, in addition to Nova Scotia preparing to host the Congres mondial acadien in 2004. Kenneth Gaudet is well known and respected in the Acadian community and I know he’ll be very effective in advancing these issues."

The appointment of an acting executive director was suggested by the Acadian Affairs Advisory Committee, which was formed by Mr. LeBlanc last fall.

In the coming months the advisory committee will be reviewing the future of the Acadian Affairs office and ways it can better meet the needs of Nova Scotia’s Acadian community. As part of its review, the advisory committee will be examining what is done in similar offices in other provinces.