Major agreement signed with Caisses populaires acadiennes; 60 communities sign partnership agreements

May 29, 2007
"The 2009 Congrès mondial acadien has signed agreements that mark a turning point in its planning."
- Jean-Guy Rioux, 2009 CMA chairman

(Caraquet, May 28, 2007) - This evening at the Caisses populaires acadiennes head office in Caraquet, the 2009 Congrès mondial acadien (World Acadian Congress) signed partnership agreements with many communities on the Acadian Peninsula. As well, the 2009 CMA signed a major sponsorship agreement with the Caisses populaires acadiennes. The signing of these agreements marks a turning point in the event's planning.

The Congrès will take place throughout the Peninsula
The 2009 CMA has signed 60 agreements with towns, villages and LSDs on the Acadian Peninsula. These areas will be holding events either on their own or in groups of two, three, four or even five neighbouring communities. "Two years and two months before the event, we are already assured of having activities take place in more than 80% of the 100 or so LSDs, towns and villages on the Peninsula, and the work is far from over," said Jean-Guy Rioux, chairman of the Congrès mondial acadien, visibly proud of the work being accomplished with the regions.

"For the organizing committee of the fourth Congrès mondial acadien, today's events are very significant and are 100% in line with the goals we had set for ourselves. Since the time we have been responsible for organizing the Congrès, we have said many times that we wanted this event to be a symbol of teamwork that included the entire Peninsula. We said that we wanted a Congrès that involved people from all the communities. Since last year, our team has visited a majority of the communities in the Peninsula. We have met people who are welcoming, organized, smiling and - especially - people who are happy and enthusiastic about the idea of organizing activities surrounding the 2009 Congrès mondial acadien in their own back yards," Mr. Rioux said.

Over the past year, Peninsula residents have put forward their vision of the event. They have proposed activities that will take place in the vast majority of communities on the Peninsula. These activities will highlight the Peninsula's beauty, innovation, talent and hidden treasures. "What we really hope for is that, when all is said and done, that the citizens of the Acadian Peninsula get to know their own Peninsula better," said Mr. Rioux. "And of course, visitors attending the event will have the opportunity to travel all over - in each LSD, town and village - and see what each location has to offer." The CMA team has held more than 50 meetings in various locations around the Peninsula, all of which were very well attended. "We were impressed by the amount of enthusiasm from citizens but, at the same time, are not surprised because we know how much the citizens of the Acadian Peninsula want this fourth Congrès mondial acadien to be an amazing success," Mr. Rioux said.

Caisses populaires acadiennes: first official partner of the 2009 CMA
As well, the Caisses populaires acadiennes have become the first platinum-level partner of the 2009 CMA. The CMA partnership is worth $350,000 in direct funding and services. This agreement is at the highest level in the partnership structure developed by the Congrès mondial acadien, which hopes to sign another two similar partnerships by the end of the year.

"The 2009 Congrès is an event that will heighten the visibility of the Acadian Peninsula and northern New Brunswick. We hope our organization's financial contribution will encourage all the region's communities to come together and discover the many opportunities that come about when we work together toward a common goal," said Camille H. Thériault, President and CEO of the Mouvement des caisses populaires acadiennes.

For the Congrès mondial acadien, the signing of this agreement with the Caisses populaires acadiennes is very significant. The President of the CMA stressed that the Caisses populaires acadiennes are without a doubt the most important institution in the development of Acadie. "The support we are receiving from the Caisses demonstrates yet again how this institution takes the development of our communities to heart. Their very important support in the planning of the Congrès will make a big difference. We often hear the Caisses populaires acadiennes slogan that says, "Higher, further, together." The agreement we are signing today confirms once again the importance of this vision. Thank you to the Caisses who are allowing us to see higher, see further and, certainly, to work together toward an event that will be an historic moment for the Acadian Peninsula," Mr. Rioux said.

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INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS:

Carol Doucet, Director of Communications and Media Relations
2009 Congrès mondial acadien
(506) 384-6897 / caroldou@nbnet.nb.ca

For more information on the Mouvement des caisses populaires acadiennes contact:

Mario Griffin, Communication et relations publiques
Vice Présidence Communications et Stratégie
Mouvement des caisses populaires acadiennes
Tel: 506.726.4785 Fax: 506.726.8220
mario.griffin@acadie.com