Little Brook, NS – November 8, 2018: The southwestern Nova Scotia municipalities of Clare and Argyle are preparing a joint bid to host the 7th Congrès mondial acadien (CMA), to be held in August 2024. The region last took part in the event in 2004. That year also marks the last time the CMA was hosted outside of New Brunswick.

This event would inspire Acadians to revisit the historically rich area of Clare and Argyle (or #CLARGYLE) and to celebrate the energy of a community in motion. In this vein, 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, who are known for warmly welcoming large-scale events to their corner of the world, such as the Festival acadien de Clare and the Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie in Clare, the 33rd Jeux de l’Acadie finals and the Wedgeport Tuna Tournament & Festival in Argyle, along with a portion of the CMA in 2004.

“The entire province of Nova Scotia had the honour of hosting the Congrès mondial acadien in 2004,” stated 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. The event, which could attract up to 100,000 participants, could have positive economic repercussions 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.”

Quick Facts

Members of the CMA 2024 bid committee:
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

During the two-week period of the Congrès mondial acadien in 2004, the Municipality of Clare welcomed approximately 45,000 participants; the Municipality of Argyle welcomed approximately 15,000 visitors.

Settled in 1768 and incorporated in 1879, the Municipality of Clare is located at the southwestern tip of Nova Scotia with approximately 8,000 residents. The Municipality of Clare is the only municipality in the province that conducts business and offers services in both official languages, French and English.

Incorporated in 1880, the Municipality of Argyle is located at the southwestern tip of Nova Scotia with approximately 7,900 residents. The Municipality of Argyle is home to the province’s first wind farm and the Village of Pubnico, the oldest Acadian region still inhabited by the descendants of its founder.

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For more information:

Amy Paradis
Communications Officer
Municipality of Clare
Tel.: (902) 769-2031, ext. 223
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Allister Surette
Rector
Université Sainte-Anne
Tel.: (902) 769-2114, ext. 7300
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