Gaelic Chairman Welcomes Strengthening of Nova Scotian Links

A commitment by the Nova Scotia Government to continue and strengthen its formal arrangement with The Highland Council has been welcomed by Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chairman of the Council’s Gaelic Committee.

Speaking at the Royal National Mod at Falkirk, Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Gaelic Affairs in the Nova Scotian Government,  said he would be recommending to his Premier, Rodney MacDonald, that the Memorandum of Understanding with The Highland Council  should have a specific designation under Intergovernmental Affairs.  This, he said, would bring the MOU under the direct responsibility of the Premier and therefore heighten its profile within and outwith government. 

Mr MacIsaac, who is also Minister of Economic Development and The Deputy Premier of the Province of Nova Scotia, said: “This would better facilitate broader connections between our Regions that will include language and culture but also other exchange pertaining to health care, trade and commerce and bio and information technology. This is an exciting and optimistic time for Gaelic and this, I believe, applies to both Nova Scotia and Scotland.  The Office of Gaelic Affairs looks forward to the work ahead and knows that in this process many rich partnerships here in Scotland will continue to be made and develop.”

Recent MOU initiatives have involved a craft residency exchange, Nova Scotia students studying at the Gaelic College on the Isle of Skye, support for Gaelic film festivals and most recently support for visiting Gaelic representatives from Scotland at the Gaelic Research Conference and the Gathering of the Gaels in Antigonish on the Nova Scotia mainland. 

Mr MacIsaac concluded: “Exchange between our respective regions is ongoing and holds promise in terms of information sharing, supporting and further developing ongoing language initiatives.”

Councillor Fraser said: “I very much welcome Mr MacIsaac’s recommendation and look forward to building on the strong foundation that has been established with Nova Scotia.”