The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, is representing the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador at events celebrating the historic ties between the Basque Country and the province.

As part of a Canadian delegation travelling to the Basque Country in Spain, June 18-22, Minister Dempster is joining Wendy Drukier, Ambassador of Canada to Spain, and other officials for the inaugural meeting of the San Juan Bound for Canada committee. The Minister is speaking at a conference organized by the University of the Basque Country on Canada-Basque relations.

Other events include discussions with government and trade officials in the Basque Country and the inauguration of the new President of the Basque Country.

A replica of a 16th-century galleon, the San Juan, which is under construction, will be launched in 2025 and make its first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to Red Bay, Labrador, in 2026. The project is based on the work of the late Selma Barkham, historian and geographer, and Parks Canada archeologists and researchers.

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