Province Donates $55,000 HST Revenues to Diana Charities

Premier Russell MacLellan announced that Nova Scotia will donate $55,000 to six charities in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales. The donation represents the provincial share of the HST on sales of Elton John's tribute CD, Candle in the Wind 1997.

"Diana, Princess of Wales, was renowned for her charitable work," said Premier MacLellan. "Many Nova Scotians were affected by her tragic death. We are pleased to support the fund-raising effort in her memory, on behalf of Nova Scotians."

Five charities closely associated with Diana will receive $5,000 each:

• Canadian Cancer Society, Nova Scotia Division
• Lung Association of Nova Scotia
• AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia
• Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Atlantic Chapter
• Canadian International Demining Centre, an organization associated with the movement to ban landmines

In addition, the IWK-Grace Hospital in Halifax will receive $30,000 to establish a Princess Diana Memorial Fund. The fund will be used to support families who have lost a child.

"For many people, the longest and strongest memories of Diana are those in which she is comforting children," said the premier. "We believe it is most appropriate that a significant part of the donation will go toward efforts to comfort bereaved families."