The 2024 Congrès mondial acadien, which will be hosted in the Clare and Argyle regions of Nova Scotia, has received a big funding boost.

At the Acadian Village in West Pubnico today a federal investment of $4.6 million and provincial investment of $2.5 million was announced, as well as investments of $250,000 each from the municipalities of Clare and Argyle.

“The Congrès mondial is always something that has always been important to Acadians,” says West Nova MP and deputy speaker of the House of Commons Chris d’Entremont. “I’m glad to see the investment that’s coming from the federal government and the provincial government and the municipalities. It’s an expensive thing to put on but I’m very hopeful that everything’s going to be done in two years.”

The congrès brings members of Acadian communities across the globe to celebrate their language and culture. It’s is hosted every five years in a different Acadian community. Nova Scotia last hosted it in 2004.

Clare MLA Ronnie LeBlanc says the congrès will be important for youth in the community.

“A lot of where being proud of the language comes from is the artistic side, musicians, writers,” says LeBlanc. “Coming out of the 2024 congress I think that’s going to get more young people interested in their culture.”

The congrès will take place from August 10 to 18 in 2024.

The province expects to welcome 30,000 first-time visitors for the congrès, with an estimated economic impact of $25 million.

“It’s important of course for the Acadian and Francophone community, not only here in southwest Nova Scotia but across our province and the Acadian communities right around the world,” says Argyle MLA and Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie Colton LeBlanc. “So this is a true homecoming to the birthplace of Acadie.”

With files from Kevin Northup