PM Carney Marks Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day and Fête nationale du Québec with Pledge to Support French Culture
Prime Minister reaffirms commitment to CBC/Radio-Canada and celebrates the role of Francophone communities in shaping Canada
Ottawa, ON – Prime Minister Mark Carney issued two official statements on June 24 to celebrate both Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day and la Fête nationale du Québec, recognizing the cultural importance of French-speaking communities across Canada and Québec’s foundational role in shaping the country’s identity.
In his Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day message, Carney praised Canada’s Francophones — from Saint Boniface to Québec City — for their long-standing commitment to protecting the French language and culture.
“From Saint Boniface to Shediac, from Québec City to Sudbury, Canada’s Francophones have always fiercely defended their language and culture, which are at the heart of Canada’s identity,” the Prime Minister stated.
He called the day an opportunity to honour the beauty, resilience, and pride of French-speaking Canadians from coast to coast.
Commitment to French-Language Media and Cultural Vitality
Carney also used both messages to highlight his government’s ongoing efforts to expand French-language programming in Canada. He pledged to strengthen CBC/Radio-Canada’s role as a platform for Francophone voices and stories.
“Canada’s new government is strengthening French language programming through CBC/Radio-Canada so more French-language stories get told throughout the country,” he said.
The commitment was echoed in his Fête nationale du Québec message, where Carney emphasized modernization and diversity in public broadcasting.
“We will strengthen and modernize our public broadcaster… to ensure rich and varied programming in French and to showcase voices from Québec and across the country.”
A National Celebration of Francophone Identity
La Fête nationale du Québec, also known as Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, is Québec’s official holiday, celebrated each year on June 24 with music, festivals, parades, and fireworks. While the day is rooted in French-Canadian tradition, celebrations now extend beyond Québec, resonating with Francophone communities throughout the country.
Carney concluded both statements by calling on all Canadians to reflect on the importance of French language and culture as essential pillars of Canada’s national identity.
“Today, we celebrate the beauty and richness of the French language and culture in Canada,” he said, while inviting Canadians “to recognize Québec’s essential contribution to our country’s collective identity.”
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