Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 - Assomption Life: Congratulations on One Hundred and Tenth Anniversary
Assumption Life
Congratulations on One Hundred and Tenth Anniversary
Hon. Rose-May Poirier: Honourable senators, one thing that all communities, regions and provinces have in common is the key role that their institutions play.
The role that Assumption Life plays in bringing people together, providing support and contributing to the Acadian region's economic and social development cannot be ignored. Assumption Life has helped make the Acadian region the place it is today. Throughout its 110 years, Assumption Life has been a social and economic leader in the Acadian region, in an environment where the Acadian people are torn between the economic opportunities available in the northeastern United States and their deep attachment to their homeland.
Assumption Life made it possible for Acadians to maintain ties, despite the dispersal of this people. It helped them to maintain their faith, language and culture — their identity. If a family member was unable to work as a result of illness, the entire Acadian community came to that family's aid with the help of Assumption Life.
What is more, this Acadian institution made sure that young Acadians got an education by financing the studies of the community's brightest minds. Given the limited options for obtaining a post-secondary education in French, Assumption Life made sure to contribute to the future of Acadian society. By helping young Acadians to attend school at Université Laval or Collège Saint-Joseph in Memramcook, Assumption Life gave Acadians the opportunity to get an education and helped Acadian society progress.
In 10 years, 85 boys have received an education thanks to the vision that, although an individual acting alone may not have the required resources, if the community pools its resources, it can provide an education for one Acadian a year. Assumption Life was and still is more than just a company trying to make a profit. It was created with the goal of improving living conditions in the Acadian community and preserving the community's history, culture and identity so that it is strong enough to stand the test of time.
These are the kinds of institutions that make a strong and united Canada. Having worked for Assumption Life myself, I can assure honourable senators that this vision and the desire to contribute to Acadia's economic and social development remain very present. I invite you to join me in wishing Assumption Life a happy one hundred and tenth anniversary and all the best for the next 100 years.