Quebec/Nova Scotia Co-operation and Exchange Agreement

ACADIAN AFFAIRS--Quebec/Nova Scotia Co-operation and Exchange Agreement

The governments of Nova Scotia and Quebec today signed an agreement that will improve co-operation and exchange between French-speaking people in the areas of health, education, culture, communications, youth, community services, economic development and tourism.

Neil LeBlanc, Nova Scotia Minister responsible for Acadian Affairs, and Jean-Pierre Charbonneau, Quebec Minister responsible for Relations with Francophone and Acadian Communities, signed the first Co-operation and Exchange agreement, which was announced in Quebec on Aug. 27 by Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm and Quebec Premier Bernard Landry.

In its first phase, the agreement will target three areas:
education, health and culture. Specific projects in education will be announced as early as this fall.

In the next six months, both governments will invest $50,000 in this agreement, that is, $25,000 each. It is anticipated that this investment will double in 2003-04 and amount to $100,000, or $50,000 each.

Mr. LeBlanc described the possibilities that this agreement offers to the citizens of Nova Scotia.

"This agreement of co-operation and exchange enables us to continue to preserve and promote the French language and culture throughout the province," said Mr. LeBlanc. He said he was proud to negotiate an agreement that would enable the peoples of Québec and Nova Scotia to share their knowledge and expertise. He also invited all of Québec to come to Nova Scotia to celebrate the World Acadian Congress in 2004.

Mr. Charbonneau underlined the catalyst role played by community stakeholders in achieving the agreement.

"The signing of this agreement underlines and recognizes the laudable and tenacious work of Nova Scotians and Quebecers who have developed, over the years, fruitful relationships and established the first partnerships." He also stressed the formal and reciprocal commitment of both governments, and the prospects that such links between the two provinces hold.

"Our ambition is to foster and multiply opportunities for information exchanges and expertise-sharing through the various departments involved as well as their network members. We strongly believe that, much like Francophonie, such links will greatly enrich us and be mutually beneficial." All this will be achieved "in a spirit of respect for the responsibilities and competencies of each stakeholder."

A standing committee for Quebec/Nova Scotia co-operation, comprising an equal number of representatives from both governments, will be responsible for implementing the provisions of this agreement. The committee will meet in the fall and may be assisted by bilateral round tables in each of the areas covered by the agreement.

Both governments will invest equally and on a yearly basis the funds required for the implementation of this agreement.