Statement by Minister Joly on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 24, 2016) -

I am pleased to mark Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day today. Since the 19^th century, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day has been celebrated by Francophones and Francophiles all across the country-particularly in Quebec, where June 24 has officially become Quebecers' National Day.

For both Francophones and Anglophones, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day is the perfect opportunity to proudly showcase our rich Francophone heritage and culture.

Celebrating French-Canadian language and culture is fully in the spirit of Celebrate Canada-four days of festivities that highlight our country's cultural diversity. The celebrations began with National Aboriginal Day on June 21, continue with Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day today and Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27, and will come to a rousing conclusion on July 1, Canada Day.

Whether we are Québécois, Fransaskois, Franco-Ontarian, Franco-Manitoban, Acadian or a French-speaker from elsewhere in Canada, let's take advantage of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day activities to get together with family or friends and highlight our Francophone roots. With one year until the 150^th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, this is a wonderful way to recognize the value of our language and our culture, which continues to enrich our society and to shine brightly far beyond our borders.

Enjoy the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebrations, and happy National Day to the people of Quebec!

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