ARGYLE/CLARE, N.S. – The southwestern Nova Scotia municipalities of Clare and Argyle are preparing a joint bid to host the seventh Congrès mondial acadien (CMA), to be held in August 2024.
The region last took part in the congress in 2004, when Nova Scotia hosted it. That year also marks the last time the CMA was held outside of New Brunswick.
The 2024 CMA bid committee is set to launch the “J’appuie #CLARGYLE CMA 2024” campaign to spread the word to residents of the region. (“J’appuie” is French for “I support.’’)
“The entire province of Nova Scotia had the honour of hosting the Congrès mondial acadien in 2004,” said Allister Surette, president of the CMA 2004 organizing committee and spokesperson for the CMA 2024 bid committee. “This opportunity would turn the focus to this part of the province. It would allow us to show the achievements we’ve carried out since we last hosted the event, as well as our region’s bright future. We look forward to seeing you again.”
The CMA is an international gathering of Acadian culture that is held every five years. Its mission is to fortify the ties among Acadian communities around the world. The event also allows host municipalities to showcase their part of the world on an international scale through activities such as family reunions, conferences and concerts. Officials say the event, which could attract up to 100,000 participants, could have positive economic spinoffs for the region.
“Our rural communities could benefit greatly from a congress of this size,” noted Danny Muise, deputy warden of the Municipality of Argyle. “The positive economic effects of the CMA would go beyond the Clare and Argyle business community and spread throughout the region of southwest Nova Scotia.”
In upcoming weeks, the CMA 2024 bid committee will communicate details about the nomination through Facebook to keep the public informed and to help generate a collective enthusiasm for the congress.
“The residents in this region are known for their welcoming nature,” expressed Ronnie LeBlanc, warden of the Municipality of Clare. “Above all, it’s the enthusiastic participation of the people in our community that makes our events so unforgettable.”
Bid committee members
The members of the CMA 2024 bid committee are: Clint Bruce, Canada Research Chair in Acadian and Cross-National Studies, Université Sainte-Anne; Réanne Cooper, student, Université Sainte-Anne; Stéphane Cyr, Chief Administrative Officer, Municipality of Clare; Chris Frotten, Municipal Clerk, Municipality of Argyle; Sally Kenney, Executive Director, Conseil acadien de Par-en-Bas; Charlene LeBlanc, Community Development Officer, Municipality of Argyle; Daniel LeBlanc, Executive and Artistic Director, Festival acadien de Clare; Gwen LeBlanc, Economic Development, Employability and Innovation Officer, CDÉNÉ, Argyle Region; Alain D. Muise, Chief Adminisrative Officer, Municipality of Argyle; Larry Peach, Tourism Manager, Municipality of Clare; Natalie Robichaud, Executive Director, la Société acadienne de Clare; Allister Surette, Rector, Université Sainte- Anne; Chantal Surette, student, Université Sainte-Anne.
Former hosts of the Congrès mondial acadien:
• 2019 Prince Edward Island / Southeast New Brunswick
• 2014 Madawaska (New Brunswick) / Maine (USA) / Témiscouata (Québec)
• 2009 Acadian Peninsula (New Brunswick)
• 2004 Nova Scotia
• 1999 Louisiana (USA)
• 1994 Southeast New Brunswick
