QUÉBEC CITY (QUEBEC), July 3, 2007 -- On behalf of the Government of Canada, Mr. Jacques Gourde, Member of Parliament for LotbinièreChutes-de-la-Chaudière, today unveiled the bust of Pierre Dugua de Mons who opened the way to permanent colonies in New France. The event, born of a joint effort by Parks Canada, the National Battlefields Commission, the Ville de Québec and the Société historique de Québec, took place before numerous dignitaries, including the Mayor of Québec City, Ms. Andrée P. Boucher, and Mr. François Chabaneau, Deputy Mayor of Royan, France, birthplace of Pierre Dugua de Mons.
"Today's ceremony is a great prelude to Québec City's 400th anniversary celebrations. I am pleased to remind people that Pierre Dugua de Mons played a significant role in the establishment of a permanent French presence in North America, and particularly here, in Québec City," stated Mr. Gourde.
"We are proud to be paying homage to the man who gave Champlain the mission to found Québec City in 1608. A key player in that daring endeavour, today Pierre Dugua de Mons takes his place in the Champs-de-Batailles Park thanks to the support of the Government of Canada," said the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women.
The original monument to Pierre Dugua de Mons is located in the Fort Anne National Historic Site of Canada, at Annapolis Royal in Nova Scotia, and was created by artist Hamilton MacCarthy in the early 1900s. The copy that was unveiled today, a gift from Parks Canada to the City of Québec, was produced by Atelier du bronze d'Inverness, in Quebec.
"The presence of Dugua de Mons' bust in two different places, here in Québec City and in Annapolis Royal, is a symbolic reminder of the importance of the French culture in the Canadian identity," highlighted John Baird, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.
The National Battlefields Commission, which decided to rename the spot where the bust will be mounted "Pierre-Dugua-de Mons Terrace", plays an important role as Canadian Heritage portfolio agency in promoting culture and heritage.
Proud partner of the "fêtes du 400e anniversaire de la ville de Québec", Parks Canada is responsible for several national historic sites closely linked to the history of the French presence in Canada, some of the most important ones, the Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux, the Fortifications of Québec and the Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Sites of Canada, are located in Québec City.
Information:
Lise Rochette
Communications Advisor
Parks Canada - Québec
418-648-4539
