Today, Minister of Agriculture Norm Letnick, responsible for the BC Francophone Affairs Program, celebrated the 15th annual B.C. Francophonie Day with the francophone community representatives and francophiles at the Parliament Buildings.
The theme of this year’s Francophonie Day is Canada 150 – An opportunity to celebrate our B.C. Francophone Heritage, in honour of the 150th anniversary of Confederation and B.C.’s vibrant and dynamic French-speaking community. Having arrived in B.C. in the late 19th century as explorers and voyageurs involved in the transporting of furs by canoe during the fur trade years, francophones were among the groups who founded the province. In recognition of the key role played by francophones in the founding and building of Canada, and the increased intergovernmental cooperation through dialogue and collaboration between the governments of B.C. and Québec, the Province also renewed the B.C.-Québec Cooperation and Exchange Agreement with respect to the Francophonie.
Each year, the Journée de la francophonie honours the contribution of francophones and francophiles to the Province. This year, Maurice Guibord was presented with a commemorative plaque in recognition of his involvement in history, culture and heritage protection and preservation.
Guibord is an active board member of the BC Historical Federation and is the president of the Société historique francophone de la Colombie-Britannique. He is also a founding director of the Heritage Vancouver Society and the programs coordinator at Burnaby Village Museum. Guibord is responsible for hosting historical walking tours of Fraser Valley neighbourhoods, and is active with the Vancouver Heritage Foundation and with Radio-Canada as a historical chronicler.
To support arts, culture and heritage in the province and mark the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation, the government recently launched the $8 million British Columbia | Canada 150: Celebrating B.C. Communities and their Contributions to Canada. The program will create meaningful legacies honouring the province’s unique and diverse histories, culture, heritage and contribution to the nation.
To support arts, culture and heritage in the province and mark the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation, the government recently launched the $8 million British Columbia | Canada 150: Celebrating B.C. Communities and their Contributions to Canada. The program will create meaningful legacies honouring the province’s unique and diverse histories, culture, heritage and contribution to the nation.