Assistance for Family Reunions for World Acadian Congress

ACADIAN AFFAIRS--Assistance for Family Reunions for World Acadian Congress

The Nova Scotia and federal governments are contributing $66,000 to help organize family reunions as part of the 2004 World Acadian Congress. Acadian Affairs Minister Neil LeBlanc and Robert Thibault, Minister of State for ACOA, on behalf of Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps, announced the funding today.

Société Acadie Nouvelle-Écosse 2004 will use the funding to host reunions of Acadians from around the world who share the same family name.

Many of the 100,000 people expected to visit Nova Scotia for the congress will be coming specifically for family reunions. At the two previous world congresses (New Brunswick 1994, Louisiana 1999), family reunions were the centrepiece of the celebrations. The success of the two previous celebrations shows the tremendous economic potential of the congress for all the regions of this province.

"2004 will be a tremendous year for Nova Scotian Acadians, and indeed, for the province as a whole," said Mr. LeBlanc. "I am confident that this assistance will go a long way towards ensuring the success of the 2004 celebrations."

Mr. Thibault said it is important for all those involved in the tourism business to start getting ready for the estimated 100,000 visitors expected for the Congres Mondial Acadien 2004.

"As an Acadian, I look forward to this historic event, which is the direct result of the hard work of Nova Scotia's Acadian community," he said.

Mr. LeBlanc thanked the Department of Canadian Heritage for its support of the CMA 2004.

The funding is facilitated through the Canada-Nova Scotia Agreement for the Promotion of Official Languages.