Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, announced that the Government of Canada is providing $4.6 million to help organize the next Congrès mondial acadien (Acadian World Congress-CMA). The seventh CMA will be held August 10 to 18, 2024, in the Acadian regions of Clare and Argyle in southwestern Nova Scotia.
The CMA is an international gathering for Acadian culture that helps consolidate the ties between Acadian communities from all over the world, preserving and celebrating their language, culture and history. Every five years, the CMA is an opportunity for host municipalities to showcase their corner of the country. We estimate that the economic benefits generated will be $25 million in southwestern Nova Scotia and the province as a whole.
To support this major event in the region, Canadian Heritage is providing $2.8 million through the Development of Official-Language Communities Program. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency will provide a non-repayable contribution of $1.8 million through the Innovative Communities Fund.
Additional funding includes $2.5 million from Nova Scotia's Office of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie. The municipalities of Argyle and Clare will each invest $250,000.
All funds provided will be used to promote and organize the CMA.
