From Hansard: Monday October 3, 2011

Hon. Mark Eyking (Sydney-Victoria, Lib.):

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to recognize the beautiful Bras
d’Or Lakes in Cape Breton, a body of water that forms a true inland sea,
which is special to many of us. This unique lake covers over 1,000 square
kilometres.

In Dresden, Germany, on July 29, an international committee designated
the Bras d’Or Lakes as the 16th UNESCO biosphere reserve in Canada. This
designation results from the tireless efforts of many that started back in
2005. I, along with the member for Cape Breton-Canso, would like to send out
a special recognition to the Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve Association,
whose passion and dedication was a big part of bringing this all together.

Celebrations were held at various communities on the weekend of
September 17, featuring ceremonies and performances that represented the
four leading cultures of the Bras d’Or Lakes: Mi’kmaq, Scottish, French and
English. It was a great weekend, one in which I was proud to take part.

Congratulations to all who made this designation possible.