PRIME MINISTER
PREMIER MINISTRE

I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings lo everyone
taking part in the 8th annual Maple Sugar Festival in
Nanaimo.

This event, whose theme this year celebrates Canada's First
Nations, is a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to
experience Aboriginal and French Canadian traditions while
savouring an assortment of delicious maple products. 1 have no
doubt that the variety of activities on the program, such as
performances by Francophone artists, sleigh rides and snow taffy
tastings, will once again draw enthusiastic crowds.

ao On behalf of the Government of Canada, I commend all
of the organizers and the many volunteers who have made this
event possible, and I wish all of you a most enjoyable festival.

OTTAWA 2008

Gordon Campbell
Premier s
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BRITISH -
COLUMBIA

www.gov.be.ca

A MESSAGE FROM
THE PREMIER

As Premier of the province of British Columbia, it is my
pleasure to extend warm greetings to everyone attending the 8th
Annual Maple Sugar Festival du Sucre d'Exrable in Nanaimo at
Beban Park.

I understand that the theme of this year’s festival is the
celebration of Aboriginal people, their Francophone attributes
and maple sugar traditional treats. Once again the Francophone

Association of Nanaimo has prepared a fabulous four day event

that will surely be entertaining and educational for participants.
The delicious traditional meals, Aborizinal and Francophone
festivities and the pure maple toffee on snow will make this years
festival an enjoyable, educational and memorable experience for
people of all ages.

I would like to commend the organizers of the 8th Maple
Sugar Festival du Sucre d’E:rable for their efforts in sharing and

celebrating the maple syrup story with such enthusiasm. Please
accept my best wishes for another successful event.

Josée Verner

Minister of Canadian Heritage,
Status of Women and

Official Languages

A MESSAGE FROM
JOSEE VERNER

Greetings to all those taking part in the 8th Maple Sugar
Festival organized by the Association des francophones de
Nanaimo.

This gathering is the perfect opportunity for the young and
young at heart to take part in activities that celebrate the French
language. The festival’: high-quality programming gives Franco-

phones in Nanaimo and the surrounding area the chance to
strengthen the bonds that unite them, while enjoying all the
pleasures that winter has to offer. There is no better way to
promote the vitality of this community and the development of
French in British Columbia.

As Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and
Official Languages, I congratulate the members of the
Association des francophones de Nanaimo who, for the past 30 _

years, have not spared any effort to increase the vitality of the
French language and culture in this beautiful part of the country.

John van Dongen
Minister of State for
Intergovernmental Relations

Enjoy the festivall.

BRITISH
COLUMBIA

www.gov.be.ca

A MESSAGE FROM
JOHN VAN DONGEN

I am pleased to join the Premier of British Columbia to
welcome you to the 2008 Nanaimo Maple Sugar Festival.

This festival is an opportunity for all British Columbians
wand visitors to experience the culture and traditions of the
‘province's French-Canadian community. Particularly this year,

as B.C. celebrates its 150th anniversary, this festival isan
admirable tribute to our rich francophone heritage and its lively
presence in our province.

Congratulations in particular to the Francophone
Association of Nanaimo, the City of Nanaimo, the Nanaimo
business community, and all the volunteers who have worked
tirelessly to make this event a success, .

I invite everyone to embrace our French heritage and culture and
experience our jote-de vivre. =

Best wishes for a successful Festival 2008! —

Sincerely jph ee

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