News release

Agreement To Benefit Bluenose II

Tourism, Culture and Heritage (Dec. 2003 - Jan. 2011)

The province has reached an agreement in principle with the Bluenose II Preservation Trust Society.

The agreement provides for the transfer of the society's funds and assets to the province's Schooner Bluenose Foundation and will help secure the role of the Bluenose II as a sailing ambassador and symbol of marine heritage.

The Schooner Bluenose Foundation is being established to raise funds for the continued operation of the ship.

The Bluenose II Preservation Trust Society, led by Senator Wilfred Moore, successfully operated Bluenose II for the people of Nova Scotia from 1994 to 2005. During those years, the trust raised and spent $1.3 million on the restoration and maintenance of the ship, in addition to the over $1 million in assets being transferred.

"We thank Senator Moore and his current fellow volunteers, Alan Abraham, of Halifax, Delbe Comeau, of Meteghan River, Keith Maher, of Fall River, Christopher McCurdy, of Chester and Barbara Zwicker, of Lunenburg for their ongoing enthusiasm and dedication to Nova Scotia's icon," said Percy Paris, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "We appreciate the spirit of co-operation that has moved this process forward. We will be working with the Trust to complete the transfer in the new year."

"All the trust ever wanted was to have an independent volunteer-led body continue to work for the good of the legacy of the original Bluenose and her successor, Bluenose II," said Mr. Moore. "We thank Minister Paris for sharing that vision and we appreciate his collegiality throughout our discussions."

The Schooner Bluenose Foundation is governed by the Schooner Bluenose Foundation Act, and will be lead by a board of volunteers.