Statement by Minister Joly on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day
Statement
OTTAWA, June 24, 2016
I am pleased to mark Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day today. Since the 19th century, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day has been celebrated by Francophones and Francophiles all across the country—particularly in Quebec, where June 24 has officially become Quebecers’ National Day.
For both Francophones and Anglophones, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day is the perfect opportunity to proudly showcase our rich Francophone heritage and culture.
Celebrating French‑Canadian language and culture is fully in the spirit of Celebrate Canada—four days of festivities that highlight our country’s cultural diversity. The celebrations began with National Aboriginal Day on June 21, continue with Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day today and Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27, and will come to a rousing conclusion on July 1, Canada Day.
Whether we are Québécois, Fransaskois, Franco-Ontarian, Franco-Manitoban, Acadian or a French-speaker from elsewhere in Canada, let’s take advantage of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day activities to get together with family or friends and highlight our Francophone roots. With one year until the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, this is a wonderful way to recognize the value of our language and our culture, which continues to enrich our society and to shine brightly far beyond our borders.
Enjoy the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebrations, and happy National Day to the people of Quebec!
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For more information (media only), please contact:
Pierre-Olivier Herbert
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
819-997-7788
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