July 3, 2008, marks the anniversary of the founding of Quebec City. Four hundred years ago this year, Samuel de Champlain sailed from France, landing three months later at Pointe de Quebec to establish a permanent settlement on the St. Lawrence River.
The trading post he built there became Quebec City — at one time the capital of New France — a territory that extended from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Great Lakes, as far north as Hudson’s Bay and as far south as Florida. It was an important staging ground for the development of modern-day Canada and continues to be an entry point for thousands of new Canadians.
Quebec City is celebrating the anniversary with a year of wide-ranging cultural events and festivities, including the nationwide commemorative bells project. The Hon. Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, invites capital cities across Canada to mark this historic event by ringing the bells and chimes at 11 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on July 3, 2008. This is the date and time that Champlain is thought to have landed in 1608.
It may seem early, but I encourage this Assembly, as well as other communities across the North, to participate as well. This can be done by raising the Quebec flag and ringing the bells on July 3. It’s never too early to begin planning our participation.
This symbolic Canada-wide activity gives us all a chance to express pride in what our nation has become and what we are capable of achieving in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
