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 : LO, oe a 2

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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