Anselm Cormier

Anselm Cormier, 1924-2005

The Antigonish Movement was launched in 1930 and reached Cheticamp in 1933. Alexandre Boudreau, who played an important role in the development of co-operatives in Cheticamp, accepted an invitation to teach a French course in the area for a week. These courses were very popular, were beneficial to the local co-operative movement.

A native of Cheticamp, Anselm grew up when the Antigonish Movement was present in the region. He saw the development of several co-operatives alongside his parents, uncles and neighbours.

He was a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University in 1948. In November of that year, the Antigonish Movement organized training sessions in Cheticamp lasting three days. They sent a few notable Acadians to these sessions, including Martin J. Légère, Adélard Savoie and Gilbert Finn, while Anselm became the public relations manager for French-speaking villages in the county.

He was hired by the University’s Extension Department to provide research on campus and in fishing communities in eastern New Brunswick, and became one of the great pioneers of the Acadian Co-operative Movement. In 1956, he accepted a position with the government of Canada for which he worked 28 years.

After his retirement from public service, Anselm returned to Cheticamp and got further involved in the co-operative movement. From the fish co-operative to the health services co-operative, and from Co-op Atlantic to Le Conseil Coopératif Acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse, Anselm remained a devoted co-operator and convinced of the benefits of co-operation. During this same period, he served on the Board of Directors of Le Conseil Canadien de la Coopération from 1985 to 1988.

In 1992, Anselm was presented the Order of Merit at the provincial level by Le Conseil Coopératif Acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse and the Order of Merit by Le Conseil Canadien de la Coopération.

Anselm devoted his life to economic and social development in various communities. He was known for his generosity to his community and he was a great promoter of Acadian culture and language. Anselm loved people. He loved the violin and loved Cheticamp.