All-party Support for Nova Scotia's Christmas Tree Producers

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY--All-party Support for Nova Scotia's Christmas Tree Producers

Nova Scotia's three political parties have joined forces to support the province's Christmas tree industry.

The all-party standing committee on resources unanimously voted to send a letter to Paul Cellucci, U.S. Ambassador to Canada, requesting that shipments of Nova Scotia Christmas trees pass without undue delay across the Canada-U.S. border during three crucial weeks in November.

"I am especially pleased that all three parties could overcome their differences to support this $32 million industry," said committee chairman Jim DeWolfe, MLA for Pictou East. "I am hopeful that the letter to Ambassador Cellucci will ensure timely export of this important product."

John MacDonell, natural resource critic and MLA for Hants East, said his caucus supports government efforts to keep the border open to the Nova Scotia Christmas tree industry.

"There is a small window of opportunity for these growers, and if the trees do not go by the third week in November, the Nova Scotia industry will be crippled," he said.

Christmas tree producers told members of the standing committee on resources that they are not asking for special treatment. Rather, they are looking for a business-as-usual attitude from American border personnel.

"Having free and fair access at the border is imperative for the industry, not only to the growers in Lunenburg County, but throughout the province," said Don Downe, MLA for Lunenburg West. "We hope that this letter to Ambassador Cellucci and our contacts in Ottawa will allow the Christmas tree industry to meet the narrow window of marketing opportunity and avoid bureaucratic red tape at the border."

Pictou East
902-424-2731 or 1-800-363-1998

John MacDonell, MLA Hants East 902-424-4134

Don Downe, MLA Lunenburg West 902-424-8637