Partnership between Transcontinental Media and the Congrès mondial acadien

Halifax, Nova Scotia, July 29, 2004 - Transcontinental Media’s Atlantic newspapers are the Official Newspapers of Congrès mondial acadien (CMA) 2004, the largest International gathering of Acadians Nova Scotia has ever seen, July 31-August 15.

Transcontinental’s daily and weekly newspapers in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island will provide up-to-date information on the CMA 2004 events and activities as well as stories and interview opportunities pertaining to the event. Transcontinental will serve as the official source for Acadian awareness through articles and stories which will be of interest to the public.

“We are thrilled to welcome Transcontinental Incorporated as our official newspapers”, said Allister Surette, president of Société Acadie de la Nouvelle-Écosse. “As a national media, Transcontinental will promote Acadian awareness and enable Congrès mondial acadien 2004 to be visible throughout the country.”

Don Brander, Group Publisher of Transcontinental’s Maritime Newspapers, said the relationship between the two organizations is an excellent fit. “Our newspapers are the voices of their communities and the CMA events are all community oriented so it is perfectly natural that we are working together,” he said.

Recall that Transcontinental Inc. is among the top 10 printers in North America, and Transcontinental Media is the fourth largest print media group in Canada, with more than 3000 employees and annual revenues of $505 million in 2003. Transcontinental Media is the country’s leading publisher of consumer magazines and its second-largest publisher of community newspapers. The company is also the largest publisher of community newspapers in the Atlantic provinces, and the region’s leading printer.

CMA 2004 welcomes over 100,000 Acadians from around the world back to their homeland, Acadie. In addition to dozens of family reunions, the event is comprised of cornerstone activities such as opening and closing concerts, academic conferences and community-based events, totaling over 2,000 activities taking place in more than 60 communities throughout Nova Scotia.

Event tickets can be purchased at the Halifax Metro Centre box office, charge by phone at (902) 451-1221, at any of the participating 14 Sobeys outlets in the Halifax Regional Municipality area, as well as on the official Congrès mondial acadien website, www.cma2004.com. Tickets are also available in the Acadian regions of Clare and Chéticamp. Please check the CMA 2004 website for regional ticket outlets. Tickets will be made available at the door (if not sold out in advance). Ticket prices range from $12.50 for the Opening Show and the Festival du Mitan to $29.50 for the 400th anniversary concert on Citadel Hill. Children 12 years of age and under will enter FREE of charge when accompanied by an adult at the 400th anniversary concert only.

CMA 2004 is sponsored by Oland Brewery Ltd., Credit Union/Caisse populaire of Nova Scotia, Sobeys Inc., Bay Ferries Ltd., Comeau Sea Foods Ltd., Acadian Seaplants Ltd, State of Louisiana and Assomption Vie. CBC/Radio-Canada is official broadcaster and Transcontinental Media is the official Newspaper of CMA 2004. Government partners include the Federal government through ACOA and Canadian Heritage and the province of Nova Scotia through Acadian Affairs and Tourism, Culture and Heritage.