Theodore Tugboat's Big New Job as Welcome Ambassador

Theodore Tugboat, a familiar face on the waterfront, has an important new role as the harbour Welcome Ambassador at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

Theodore will help welcome visitors, including new Nova Scotians, to the community and serve as the mascot for the new Welcome Aboard program for school groups.

"Theodore, with his enormous smile and helpful tugboat nature, has become a local symbol of friendship on the waterfront," said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Tony Ince. "Theodore is a natural fit to be involved as the Maritime Museum's Welcome Ambassador - to help new Nova Scotians, especially families, learn about their new home and to meet others in the community."

The Welcome Aboard program includes a guided cultural and heritage orientation of Halifax for newcomers from Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, a family pass for some Nova Scotia museums and an optional harbour tour.

Theodore Tugboat's special role as Welcome Ambassador and as part of the Welcome Aboard program, is a collaboration between the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, the Museum of Natural History, Murphy's the Cable Wharf, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, Halifax Regional Municipality, the Canadian Maritime Heritage Foundation and RBC.

Aboard Theodore, visitors will learn about the history of the waterfront as a multicultural port. Student participants can pledge to act like welcome ambassadors themselves, just like Theodore. The program aims to foster a welcoming relationship between newcomer families and the broader community.

"We all have a role to play in making people feel welcome, and Theodore Tugboat's familiar toot toot offers a happy Halifax hello to newcomers and visitors alike," said Halifax Mayor Mike Savage.

The Welcome Aboard program joins the Welcomed in Halifax pass, which is a Halifax municipal services card that offers new Nova Scotians free access to Halifax Transit and all HRM-operated recreation facilities, as well as admission to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, the Museum of Natural History and the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.