Chéticamp – Atlantic Canada’s rich multicultural heritage is central to the region’s identity, and supports a strong, vibrant, and welcoming society that attracts visitors and newcomers from around the world. The Government of Canada is investing to ensure that Acadian community art and culture, and the French language, continue to flourish in Nova Scotia.
Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton – Canso, announced a total federal contribution of $2 million for the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) to upgrade the Chéticamp Cultural Quarter (CCQ). The announcement was made on behalf of Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, and Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA.
The Government of Nova Scotia, through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, is also contributing $1.5 million through the Canada-Nova Scotia Agreement on Minority-Language Education and Second Official-Language Instruction.
These investments will support several upgrades to the Chéticamp Cultural Quarter – a multifunctional arts facility and annex of École NDA. The improvements will include a conference room, art gallery, artist studios, a 200-seat theatre, a community library and a café. The facility will also be equipped with new, state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment. Arts programming for the CCQ will be facilitated by the Conseil des Arts de Chéticamp (CAC).
The facility will give community members and students a place to come together to create, practice and perform, while offering a range of Acadian art and culture experiences for visitors and residents to enjoy.
In March, the Public Policy Forum published a report that confirms Atlantic Canada’s economy is bustling and the region is poised for exponential growth. Today’s announcement highlights how the Government of Canada is contributing to this momentum – strengthing our communities, creating new opportunities, and setting the stage for a strong, sustainable future, while preserving and celebrating diverse heritages, and supporting French language education and culture.
“Our official language minority communities in Chéticamp play a vital role in our cultural fabric, and it is our duty to ensure that they have access to quality educational and community infrastructure. Partnering with the province and investing in construction projects that directly benefit these communities provides them with the necessary funding to pave the way for stronger, more prosperous, and harmonious communities. Through these initiatives, we are not just building physical structures; we are creating spaces that nurture knowledge, encourage diversity, and promote cultural exchange.” – Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages