May 25, 2007

by Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean

We received an incredibly warm welcome in Fredericton, as I told you in my last blog, and met dynamic people who are extremely involved in their community. Among others, we met those working for associations trying to end violence against women. Over 20 of them came out and talked to me about their concerns, their work and their accomplishments. We were joined by Minister Carmel Robichaud, responsible for the Status of Women; Ms. Roxanne Reeves (Premier Graham’s partner), and Her Honour Marcia Babineau, who opened the doors to the Lieutenant-Governor’s residence for the occasion. The discussions were productive and the stories were moving, in particular those of the women from Aboriginal communities. In New Brunswick, as elsewhere in Canada, there is a need to reflect and develop a national strategy on violence against women (spousal abuse, rape, trafficking for the sex and commercial trades, etc.).

From Fredericton, we headed out to the Acadian peninsula. The people of Bathurst, and in particular The Mayor Stephen Brunet, showed us their sense of solidarity and how community spirit prevails in their city. From school projects to hospitality associations for new immigrants, from services for youth in crisis to activities for the Paralympics, from charitable and cultural associations to veterans and cadets, from The City Council, which invited me to plant a tree, to Chief David Peter-Paul from Pabineau First Nation who welcomed us: they all took the time to tell us what they were doing and what they have accomplished.

In Caraquet and Shippagan, we focused on the realities offishers and the coast. A snow storm and the raging sea (in the middle of May, which is almost unheard of!) prevented us from arriving by sea with the coast guard as planned to meet lobster- and crab-fishers. However, we did still have very informative discussions with them on the dock. Donat Lacroix, the poet, joined voices with women and men who, like him, are often on the high seas and are used to that way of life, which requires great courage and real passion. What concerns them the most is that resources and the sea bed are protected, that there is a new generation to take over the trade, that they are heard and that their work is supported. And they remain optimistic through it all. When faced with difficulties and challenges, they always try to find solutions. The fishing school, the aquarium and the research centre, the Université de Moncton à Shippagan: the private and public sectors are joining efforts in a comprehensive plan. All of this draws from the culture of the community and a spirit of resistance, as the Mayor of Caraquet, Antoine Landry, and his young counterpart from Shippagan, Jonathan Roch Noël, said. It is a culture that expresses itself in pragmatic deeds that call people into action, but also in music and song, and in the preservation of an entire linguistic, historic and human heritage.

The dialogue between generations is alive and well in New Brunswick. Young people are concerned about the present, but they are looking towards the future as well, and taking concrete action. There is a concern about them leaving the province, but those who stay or come back are determined to preserve their acquired knowledge and help create a dynamic and viable social project. Acadians possess a pride that defines them. Do not think of them as “Francophones outside Quebec,” or a “Francophone minority.” We met with about 20 young leaders, association members and people from various sectors at a discussion forum and they no longer accept these terms, even considering them prejudicial. They said that they prefer to be categorized and defined for what they are instead of what they are not. They consider themselves citizens of New Brunswick and Canada in their own right, born of a history and carriers of a national French culture, with the feeling that they are also members of the international Francophone community. That is what defines their involvement in the province, the country and the world. Their energy is healthy and constructive. Their mayors, the Commissioner of Official Languages, the provincial minister for La Francophonie, the Ombudsman, and other officials who were part of the debate were deeply impressed by the quality of the actions taken by these young people, and also reassured by their vitality, which ensures the future and protects important achievements.