News Release

For immediate release
August 26, 2002

C.B. ACADIAN COMMUNITIES PREPARE FOR 2004 WORLD CONGRESS

PETIT DE GRAT, NS -- Cape Breton Island's Acadian communities are preparing now to welcome the thousands of visitors expected when Nova Scotia hosts the Congrès Mondial Acadien 2004. A tourism officer responsible for coordinating activities has been hired, with Government of Canada assistance, to ensure the maximum benefit for the Island from this event.

Working with a ten-member committee, the coordinator will spearhead the development and implementation of a detailed plan for cultural and social tourist activities for the period leading up to the 2004 celebrations, during the World Congress (July 31-August 15, 2004) and for the period after the celebrations. A communication plan is being developed for the promotion of these activities to ensure the maximum tourist participation for the Cape Breton Island activities.

The project is sponsored by le Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDENE). Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) will contribute the project costs of $123,740, which also includes office operating costs.

This will be the third World Acadian Congress and thousands of visitors from around the world are expected to discover and explore the vibrant French Acadian traditions and 'joie de vivre' of the Province. The 1999 Congress was held in Louisiana and New Brunswick hosted the event in 1994.

The World Congress presents an unprecedented opportunity to showcase our Acadian communities to the world. This community-driven project will help ensure Cape Breton Island's Acadian language, traditions and culture are well represented and presented during the festivities, said Rodger Cuzner, Member of Parliament for Bras d'Or-Cape Breton, speaking on behalf of Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and ECBC. 

While the coordinator will be busy in 2004, a great deal of the work will be in preplanning and identifying the infrastructure required to the host events, said Yvon Samson, Coordinator, CDENE. The Congres Mondial Acadien 2004 will create a wonderful opportunity to showcase the Acadian communities of northern Inverness and Richmond Counties. The support from the Government of Canada is vital to our ability to participate in and benefit from this major event. 

Le Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse was established in February 1999 with the objective of pursuing economic development activities in Francophone communities across Nova Scotia. The Petit de Grat office is one of five across Nova Scotia working on community economic development initiatives such as supporting business start-ups, expansions and modernizations. Strategic priorities include rural development, youth, tourism and information technology.

Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2000 budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Peter A. H. Graham
Office of the Hon. Gerry Byrne
Minister of State for ECBC & ACOA
Tel: (613) 957-9959
Fax: (613) 941-7844

Office of Rodger Cuzner, M.P. 
Bras d'Or-Cape Breton 
Tel.: (902) 842-9763
Fax: (902) 842-9025

Mary Ann MacCormick 
ECBC Communications 
Tel: (902) 564-7269
Fax:(902) 564-3825

Yvon Samson, Co-ordinator
Le Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse 
Tel: (902) 226-0064