The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:

Speaker, I rise today to recognize a seminal moment in the history of our great province.

Our agreement to enter into Confederation on March 31, 1949, was the next chapter of our unique political evolution from colony to Dominion to province of Canada.

In every city and town throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, this subject still sparks lively debate,75 years later.

Speaker, we may be the youngest province in this federation, but our history spans many centuries before Canada became a country in 1867.

And so, when the Terms of Union were signed on December 11, 1948, our stalwart and resilient people chose to become a part of Canada – enriching the country with our remarkable culture ever since.

Today, Newfoundland and Labrador continues to be an important part of the Canadian mosaic. This is anchored by our profound sense of cultural identity and our incredibly rich cultural heritage, which continues to enrich the very fabric of Canada as a whole.

So, Speaker, today I acknowledge and celebrate the 75th anniversary of this marriage of cultures, economies and people.

As we look forward to the next 75 years, let’s do so with the optimism, innovation, resilience, pride and flair that we’ve shown for the past 75 years, as we continue to make our mark within this country called Canada.

Thank you.