Former Premiers To Head 2008 Anniversary Celebrations

Cecil Clarke, Speaker of the House of Assembly, today, April 13, announced former premiers Russell MacLellan and John Hamm will co-chair the organizing committee for Nova Scotia's 250 anniversary celebrations of Canada's first democracy.

"Next year's anniversary marks an important milestone for our country and a proud first for Nova Scotia," said the Speaker. "I am delighted that our organizing committee will be led by two prominent Nova Scotians who bring credibility and accountability to our anniversary celebrations."

Government House leader Michael Baker formally established the Democracy 250 Committee through a bill introduced in the legislature today. The bill immediately received all-party support.

Mr. Clarke said, "Planning has already begun, but there's a tremendous amount of work to be done in order to ensure as many Nova Scotians, from as many communities as possible, participate in anniversary events and celebrate this great moment in our province's history."

He said the Democracy 250 Committee has already identified a number of key objectives to guide anniversary planning, including celebrating our history and institutions; educating Canadians about the importance of democracy and voting; honouring our veterans and military men and women for upholding our freedoms, and recognizing good citizenship.

Schools, local heritage sites and legions will be focal points for community celebrations.

"As the first representative government outside of Westminster and within Canada, Nova Scotia can lay claim to one of our country's most important firsts," Mr. MacLellan said. "I'm extremely pleased to be a part of the team that will help plan the events to celebrate this great Canadian milestone."

Fellow co-chair, Mr. Hamm, said the committee will focus a great deal of its efforts on educating our students about why they should vote.

"A key objective of the Democracy 250 Committee is to celebrate democracy and to highlight how, 250 years later, it has positively influenced our lives and shaped our national identity," Mr. Hamm said. "Hopefully, our anniversary celebrations will help convey to Nova Scotians, particularly young Nova Scotians, why every eligible voter should cast their ballot."

The Speaker said all three political parties support Nova Scotia's 250th anniversary celebrations and have agreed to name a caucus member to sit on the organizing committee.