Hon. René Cormier: Colleagues, we are living in a time when we often feel as though the world around us is falling apart, so it’s comforting to know that there are people of all generations in this country who are driven by a genuine desire to help others and to work for the betterment of their community and their people.

I had the pleasure of seeing this first-hand last weekend during a memorable trip to the west coast of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Stephenville and the Port au Port Peninsula, the heart of Newfoundland’s francophone community, played host to an impressive gathering of Acadian organizations from the four Atlantic provinces and Quebec.

From Stephenville in Grand’Terre, to L’Anse-à-Canards, in this magnificent region where the local anglophone population greets you with, “How are you, my love?”, a jubilant cohort of Acadians, francophones and francophiles of all generations gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador, or FFTNL.

It was an opportunity to celebrate FFTNL’s many achievements and to rally together to face future challenges, because there’s no denying that our francophone minority communities are still quite fragile, colleagues.

The Société nationale de l’Acadie, the voice of the Acadian people on the national and international stage, was there to celebrate the renewal of an important agreement with France. The mutual promotion of the French language and French and Acadian cultures, as well as youth and student mobility, are at the heart of this historic agreement. It was an opportunity to thank Johan Schitterer, the Consul General of France in the Atlantic Provinces, whose diplomatic efforts in Acadia have been exemplary and exceptional.

Our new colleague, the Hon. Réjean Aucoin, who will shortly be sworn in as a member of this chamber, was also there. This Chéticamp lawyer, who specializes in criminal law and is an ardent defender of francophone language rights and a passionate Acadian, was enthusiastically welcomed by those in attendance. Clearly, his appointment to the upper chamber was long overdue.

Colleagues, as I roamed that breathtaking landscape where land and sea are one, my thoughts turned to those around the world who are currently suffering, and I so wish I could have given them a glimpse of the restful, radiant beauty before my eyes.

On the way back, a stop in Montreal gave me the opportunity to celebrate the members of the Acadian band Salebarbes, who received the Félix award for song of the year at the prestigious ADISQ gala on Sunday. It is a distinction that honours all artists who create art under tenuous conditions, but who are keen to share their vision of the world.

Colleagues, we are privileged as parliamentarians to draw inspiration from the vitality of civil society and artists who are buoyed by a common dream: to help make the world a better place.

Newfoundland is an island worth visiting. Its very name evokes hope, the hope we all need in these troubled times to keep up our important work, that of working for minorities and the regions. Colleagues, I had a great weekend and I wish the same to you.

Thank you. Meegwetch.