N.S. to honour Acadian politician Joseph Willie Comeau on Heritage Day

Joseph Willie Comeau, one of the longest-serving politicians in Canadian history, is pictured. (Nova Scotia government)

Nova Scotia is honouring one of the longest-serving politicians in Canadian history during Heritage Day on Monday.

Joseph Willie Comeau, an Acadian from Clare in Digby County, was first elected in 1907 to represent the area in the legislative assembly. He was elected nine times before being appointed to the Senate in 1948, where he served until his death in 1966 at the age of 89.

The province says Comeau used his position to advocate for Acadian communities and culture.

“During his long and remarkable career in the Nova Scotia legislature and the Senate of Canada, Mr. Comeau used his voice to elevate the French language and education, as well as Acadian cultural expression,” said Dave Ritcey, minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, in a news release Thursday.

“He earned lasting respect for his leadership and integrity.”

Comeau was also an educator, entrepreneur, husband and father to 16 children.

“We, the family of J. Willie Comeau, are very proud that our grand-père is being honoured in 2026. He would be deeply touched,” said Dianne Thibault, granddaughter of Joseph Willie Comeau.

“Considering his lengthy political career and his devotion to his people and his province, our grand-père, Willie, is so very deserving of being celebrated in 2026.”

Comeau’s life and legacy will also be celebrated at a community event in Church Point on Feb. 21.

His family will make a presentation, a documentary about his life will be shown, and a reception will be held at the event.

Heritage Day – which celebrates people, places and events that have had a lasting impact on the province of Nova Scotia – takes place the third Monday of February. The province first celebrated Heritage Day in 2015.

Past honourees include Nora Bernard, Joseph Howe, the community of Africville and Mi’kmaq heritage.

Heritage Day is a statutory holiday so schools, provincial government offices and banks will be closed, along with some retailers.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page