Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 200th anniversary of the arrival in Canada of a great personage in Acadian history in the Clare and Argyle regions.
Jean Mandé Sigogne arrived in Nova Scotia to provide religious services to the Acadians returning from exile and taking refuge in one of the province's most inhospitable areas.
Despite many difficulties, he earned the respect and admiration of the entire population. According to Gérald Boudreau, who, in my opinion, is an expert in the matter: “He served Acadians devotedly and faithfully for 45 years as providential pastor, as builder of churches and schools, as educator and as defender of their civil rights”.
Jean Mandé Sigogne died in 1884 in the vestry of his church, at Pointe-de-l'Église, at the age of 81. I ask the hon. members to join all Acadians in my riding in celebrating the arrival of this great man who left his mark among the Acadians.