Introduction

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that the Government of Canada will provide support for the Rendez-vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta (Rendez-vous 2017), the first large-scale signature initiative of celebrations marking the 150^th anniversary of Canadian Confederation (Canada 150). He was joined by Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Régis Labeaume, Mayor of Québec, and François Moreau, Chairman of the Board, Rendez-vous Naval de Québec.

A celebration of Canada’s seafaring culture, Rendez-vous 2017 will take place from June 29 to August 20, 2017, and will involve a full fleet of tall ships from around the world visiting several cities in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes.

The regatta of tall ships will help celebrate Canada 150 by bringing Canadians to cities, towns and villages along the St. Lawrence River and helping promote a greater understanding of these communities and of the vital role that this iconic Canadian waterway played in the creation and development of the country.  Activities such as ship tours, workshops, concerts and competitions will take place in the communities visited by the tall ships showcasing local and national culture and Canada’s proud maritime heritage. 

The tall ships regatta will visit QuébecCity from July 19 to July 23, 2017. Over 3,000 tall ship crew members, mostly young cadets from around the globe, will have the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  They will also be able to learn more about how Québec City was one of the great ports and naval centres of the world, how it played a pivotal part in Canadian Confederation and that it is the cradle of the French language in North America. Activities will include music and dance performances and sporting events.

Rendez-vous 2017 is one of many upcoming high-impact, large-scale signature initiatives that our Government is supporting through the Canada 150 Fund.   

Quick Facts

• Another highlight of Rendez-vous 2017 will be the tall ship journey to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, which will be the starting point of a transatlantic tall ships race. The journey will also include stops in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.
• On April 23, 2015, the Government of Canada announced support for the Canada 150 Fund which will support signature initiatives of national scope as well as community driven activities and anchor events to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of Canadian Confederation. These include large-scale projects that are unique and innovative, of national reach and participation-oriented.
• The overarching theme of Canada 150 is “Strong. Proud. Free.” Canada 150 programming will reflect Canada’s proud identity, its rich history and heritage, and its linguistic, ethnic, cultural and regional diversity.

Quotes

“Canada has an extraordinarily rich naval and maritime history that contributed enormously to the development of our great country. I am therefore very pleased to be in Québec City, one of the great historical ports of the world, to announce support for a tall ship regatta, Rendez-vous 2017, as part of Canada 150 celebrations.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper

“Tall ships played a pivotal role in the evolution of our country, from early exploration and commerce, to bringing immigrants to our shores.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper

“The site of this magnificent regatta of ships along the shores of the St. Lawrence will no doubt remind Canadians of the golden years of sailing ships and our deep ties to the waterways of the land.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Related Products

• Canada 150
• Government Support to Preserving Québec City’s Heritage and Dynamism

Associated Links

• Canada 150
• Canada 150 Fund
• Rendez-vous 2017