Alward blanks on Acadian culture

Gaffe could hurt PC leader with French electorate

Last Updated: Thursday, September 2, 2010 | 7:48 PM ET

CBC News

PC Leader David Alward has said he needs to work on his French. (CBC)

The leader of the Progressive Conservatives was stumped Thursday when asked to name his favourite Acadian artist.

David Alward was being interviewed by Radio-Canada to allow Acadians to get to know him during the provincial election campaign.

He was asked which book he is reading and what he would take on a desert island. He named a book by University of Moncton Prof. Donald Savoie and said he would take his BlackBerry.

He was then asked which Acadian artist he enjoys. He tried to answer, but could not come up with a name.

Political cost

A New Brunswick political scientist said Alward's lack of familiarity with Acadian culture is symptomatic of a wider problem in the province.

Don Desserud said it could hurt Alward's chances with about a third of the electorate.

"It could if someone makes it an issue and says this is an indication of a disregard for Acadian culture and ignorance of an important part of the province," he said.

The University of New Brunswick professor pointed out that one of the most famous Acadian poets is Herménégilde Chiasson, who was the lieutenant governor while Alward was a cabinet minister.

But Desserud said Alward is not alone, because many New Brunswick anglophones have no idea what is going on in the Acadian community.

"He can deal with it very well by saying, 'I wish I knew more. Why don't I know more? What's wrong with our education system?'" Desserud said.

Alward admitted his biggest challenge is to improve his French.

Desserud said all political leaders should have ideas on how to promote a better understanding of the two linguistic groups in New Brunswick.