"I am delighted to extend my warmest greetings to everyone celebrating la Fête nationale des Acadiens.

Today, the Acadian community comes together to proudly celebrate their dynamism and vitality. And to showcase the success of the men and women of Acadia – a success born of a daring vision and common values that have contributed to the building of the Canada that we know today.

This year we are marking the arrival in the early 1600s of the men and women who established the first French settlement in North America – in a place that would later become Acadia. Today, almost 400 years after they came ashore, we can feel pride and emotion as we reflect on the great Francophone family that they founded.

Aline joins me in wishing all Acadians a most joyous and memorable celebration."