Celebrate Law and Democracy Week, April 14-19

Nova Scotia's pioneering role in Canadian democracy is being celebrated with Law and Democracy Week from today, April 14 to Saturday, April 19.

Democracy 250 and the Canadian Bar Association, Nova Scotia Branch (CBA-NS), are partnering to celebrate the week in recognition of Nova Scotia establishing the first Supreme Court in North America in 1754, four years before the province hosted the first meeting of representative government in Canada.

"The four pillars of our freedom -- the executive and legislative branches of government, the judiciary and freedom of the press -- were all Nova Scotia firsts," said John Hamm, who shares Democracy 250 co-chair duties with Russell MacLellan.

"Our province is THE place in Canada that shaped the course of Canadian history. That's something I believe all Nova Scotians should be proud of and that all Canadians should know."

Democracy 250 and CBA-NS will hold a number of events throughout the week, including a flag raising at the legislature and a Celebrity Over the Top! law and democracy trivia challenge. A mock trial for students will be held in Kentville and Halifax Provincial Court will host an open house.

For the past 25 years, the Canadian Bar Association and its provincial and territorial branches have celebrated Law Day to mark the repatriation of the Canadian Constitution and the signing of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Democracy 250, a non-partisan body with representation from Nova Scotia's three sitting parties, is overseeing celebrations to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of parliamentary democracy in Canada. The celebrations are also intended to re-engage youth in the political process.

To see the full calendar of events for Democracy and Law Week, visit www.cba.org/ns/News_and_Events/Law_Day.aspx.