QUÉBEC CITY, May 29, 2008 - For four days, Québec City residents and visitors will be able to learn about naval history and the lives of today's sailors through the Rendez-vous naval de Québec, with which the Government of Canada is proud to be associated.
Steven Blaney, Member of Parliament (Lévis-Bellechasse), on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie, took part today in the launch of the Rendez-vous naval de Québec, one of the activities marking the 400th anniversary of Québec City.
"It was a master stroke on the part of the organizers of the Rendez-vous naval de Québec to assemble such an impressive fleet of naval ships and their crews in Québec City," said Minister Verner. "The Government of Canada is a proud partner in the 400th anniversary of Québec City. We invite all Canadians to participate in the celebrations marking this anniversary."
"Business people in Québec City worked together with the Canadian Forces to organize the Rendez-vous naval de Québec," said Mr. Blaney. "This is a project that clearly shows the great vitality of the residents of this city, particularly in the year of its 400th anniversary."
The Rendez-vous naval is taking place from May 29 to June 1 in the Port of Québec. It includes many activities and gives the public an opportunity to tour naval ships from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Ireland. This will be an excellent opportunity to celebrate Québec City and explore its history, which is closely tied with the St. Lawrence Seaway.
The 400th anniversary of Québec City, the cradle of the French language and culture in North America, is a historic event for Canada and North America, for it is from that date that we truly started to become what we are today. The Government of Canada is proud to contribute $110 million towards the celebrations and to be a partner in the organization of this event, because the founding of Québec also marks the founding of the Canadian state.
For more information on Québec City's 400th anniversary, visit the Government of Canada's website for this historic event at www.quebec400.gc.ca.
Information:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie
819 997-7788
Marie-Claude Cadorette
Regional Communications Director
Quebec Region
Canadian Heritage
514 283-4027
