News Release

EDMUNDSTON (GNB) – The provincial government will invest $2 million in the organization of the 2014 World Acadian Congress, Premier David Alward announced today.

The congress will be held in the region known as l'Acadie des terres et forêts, which includes northwestern New Brunswick, northern Maine, and the Témiscouata region of Quebec.

“We are delighted to be contributing to this unifying event that will help promote not only the Acadian regions but also the province of New Brunswick as a whole,” Alward said. “The Acadian World Congress is an international event that will stimulate the tourist industry and create opportunities for economic growth and greater prosperity in the Madawaska region. Thanks to today's announcement, we are all partners in growth.”

The aim of the congress, held every five years since 1994, is to have the Acadian diaspora from around the world get together for family reunions, conferences, and performances held over a period of two to three weeks. The 2014 congress will take place from Aug. 8 to 24.

“The provincial government is proud to again be a partner in organizing the World Acadian Congress and to support a strategic initiative that will help the communities involved increase their capacity to advance sustainable economic development objectives in their respective regions,” said Economic Development Minister Paul Robichaud, who is also the minister responsible for the Francophonie.

Robichaud noted that the provincial government plans to take advantage of the congress to promote the province as a tourist and cultural destination and as a place to do business.

“The collaboration of our government authorities is essential in the organization of a major event such as our congress," said Émilien Nadeau, president of the 2014 World Acadian Congress. “We are very proud that the New Brunswick government joins its efforts to the 2014 World Acadian Congress, allowing us to promote Acadian pride within our communities and all over the world.”

The four previous world Acadian congresses generated major economic spinoffs for the regions in which the events took place. The economic spinoffs of the congress held on the Acadian Peninsula in 2009 are estimated at $22 million, and the event gave the region international visibility as a tourist destination.