Quebec City 400th.
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National Post article
QUEBEC -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other political dignitaries wished Quebec City a happy 400th birthday Thursday and hailed the resilience of the francophone culture and the vitality of the French language.
The pouring rain didn't stop the ceremony to honour Samuel de Champlain, the French explorer who founded what was to become the historic city on July 3, 1608.
The prime minister told a soaking wet crowd gathered under umbrellas and rain ponchos that Champlain's heritage belongs to all Canadians and his legacy is one worthy of pride.
"The seeds planted here 400 years ago today have blossomed into a magnificent city, a strong and proud Quebecois nation and a great Canadian country, strong and free. What an amazing legacy," Mr. Harper said.
The prime minister noted his government's efforts to have Parliament adopt a motion recognizing Quebec as a nation, saying it built upon the work of pioneers who came after Champlain who created "in North America a bastion of French language that is renowned in the world."
"These four centuries of perseverance and determination were crowned when MPs from every region of our great country, from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic, recognized that the Quebecois form a nation within a united Canada. They said yes. They said yes to a fundamental truth about Canada," Harper said.
The prime minister called Quebec City the most beautiful city in Canada, and one that holds a place in the heart of all people.
"Our Canada, with the Quebecois nation in its heart, will look at our common future with confidence. Happy birthday, Quebec City," he said.
Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean kicked off the ceremony by saying this is more than simply a birthday.
"This is not only the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec that we are celebrating together today. We are celebrating four centuries of courage, of stubbornness and bold behaviour that allowed French Canada to exist, to continue to exist and to remain in existence for the future," she said.
In her remarks, Ms. Jean also said that the anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on Canada's roots and the first encounters between Canada's aboriginal people and European explorers.
"Let's remember that our country was built on the generosity of those people, who saw their rich universe change dramatically," Ms. Jean said.
"Quebec City is giving us an opportunity to explore the beginning of all of these encounters, and all the mixing that came about between French, English, Irish (and) aboriginal people, and 400 years later, Canada contains the entire globe and it is this whole voyage that we will never forget," Ms. Jean added.
Ms. Jean then called for bells to ring out in the provincial and territorial capitals across the country at 11 a.m. ET, the hour that Champlain is thought to have landed at Quebec.
The official ceremony, which was also attended by French Prime Minister Francois Fillon and a host of other dignitaries, took place by Champlain's statue next to the historic Chateau Frontenac hotel.
In his remarks, Mr. Fillon highlighted the historical ties that bind France to Quebec, saying that "there is only one France" and that Quebec is part of it.
Quebec Premier Jean Charest drew parallels between the characteristics of Champlain and those of Quebecers, including openness and determination.
"This day has gone down in history as the founding of a city, a city that was going to become the very cradle of our nation," said Mr. Charest. "Four centuries later, we still have within ourselves his energy, his audacity and his faith in the future. ... Today, it is a whole nation that salutes him."
Ireland's European affairs minister, Dicke Roche, like other dignitaries, poked fun at the soggy weather.
"The mayor [of Quebec City] said it rained on this day in 1608. I'm a great believer in historical authenticity, but it didn't need to go quite this far," he said.
Mr. Roche recalled that tens of thousands of Irish men and women came to North America in search of a better life and that Quebec City was their first landfall in reaching the continent.
Liberal Leader Stephane Dion was also in the Quebec capital -- his hometown -- to celebrate the anniversary, and in a statement he offered his best wishes for a "happy and successful celebration." He said the vitality and survival of the French language in North America stems from the founding of Quebec City.
"Quebec City can be proud of what it has achieved in the past 400 years. This year of celebrations should commemorate the past, but also look ahead to the next 400 years, which will be, I'm sure, also filled with prosperity and great opportunities," Mr. Dion said.
The speeches were followed by a march of 1,500 soldiers from the Plains of Abraham to the Chateau Frontenac as thousands of people gamely gathered under umbrellas looked on.
Demonstrators had threatened to disrupt the parade, but when about 300 protesters showed up they were cordoned off by riot police.
A few dozens activists were able to get closer to the soldiers to insult them and shout slogans such as "Assassin" and "Down with Imperialism."
"We managed to yell and shout our opposition to this military masquerade even though the police prevented us from getting near the soldiers," said Patrick Cadorette of the Montreal-based Block the Empire group.
The Quebec City police reported no arrests during or after the protest.
Meanwhile, partygoers were scheduled to take in a commemorative show outside the provincial legislature Thursday night bringing together some of Quebec's biggest stars, including Robert Charlebois, Claude Dubois and Ginette Reno. The show, featuring Champlain portrayed by Quebec actor Yves Jacques, was intended to showcase the "great encounters" that shaped the history of the city, including the First Nations, France, Acadia, Great Britain, Scotland and Ireland.
Van Halen -- the opening act of the city's summer festival -- was set to get the party started. There was also to be a new documentary, accompanied by a symphony orchestra, on Quebec City shown in the old port. The party was to close with a 30-minute long fireworks display launched from barges on the St. Lawrence River.
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