Nova Scotians Encouraged to Celebrate Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee
NOTE: A social media version of this release, with hi-res, downloadable photos and a video clip, is available at http://gov.ns.ca/news/smr/2012-02-06-Diamond-Jubilee .
Nova Scotians are invited to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee during community events, medal presentations, tours of Province House, film presentations and other activities to be held across the province throughout the year.
The celebration of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty's reign as the Queen of Canada begins today, Feb. 6, with the Queen's Personal Canadian flag being raised at provincial legislatures across the country.
"The Diamond Jubilee is a wonderful opportunity for all Nova Scotians to recognize and celebrate our province's ties with the Commonwealth," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "Those ties have helped to make our province, and our country, what it is today - a place that exemplifies peace, tradition, diversity, respect and strong values.
"On behalf of all Nova Scotians, I extend warm wishes and congratulations to Her Majesty on this remarkable and historic milestone."
There has only been one other Diamond Jubilee celebrated in Canada - that of Queen Victoria in 1897.
Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis said Her Majesty's 60-year reign demonstrates the importance of fostering and nourishing strong relationships in the global community.
"As Nova Scotians celebrate Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee, let us give thanks for a sovereign who continues to inspire us, who has stood beside us with unwavering strength, and who has been a trusted source of steadfast hope for the future," said Lt.-Gov. Francis.
The celebrations will recognize Nova Scotians who have made significant contributions to their communities at ceremonies to be held across the province throughout the year.
In an effort to engage and recognize young Nova Scotians, the province will award 60 scholarships - one for each year of Her Majesty's reign - to Grade 12 students who have demonstrated leadership and made significant contributions to their communities and the province.
An interactive, online learning tool and resources about the Diamond Jubilee and Her Majesty will also be available to help teachers educate students in grades 2 to 11 on the monarchy and how Her Majesty continues to be a role model for active citizenship.
"Young Nova Scotians are the leaders of tomorrow and the future of our province," said Premier Dexter. "These tools will help students better understand how government works and why community involvement makes our province a stronger and better place to live, work and raise a family."
Nova Scotians can send congratulatory messages online through the Diamond Jubilee website or by signing a commemorative message book at Province House. The book is one-of-a-kind, handcrafted by a Nova Scotian artisan. These keepsakes will be sent to Her Majesty once the celebrations wrap up in December.
As part of the festivities, a photo exhibit of previous Royal tours to Nova Scotia is on display at Province House and a film of the 1951 Royal Visit by then Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh will be shown at Government House tonight at 7 p.m.
The Queen supports more than 620 charities and organizations around the world, including 33 charitable and military organizations in Canada. Since her accession to the Throne in 1952, Her Majesty has completed 22 Royal Tours of Canada, five of those including Nova Scotia, with the most recent in 2010.
"I encourage all Nova Scotians, young and old alike, to celebrate this important and significant anniversary," said the premier.
For more information on the Diamond Jubilee, visit http://novascotia.ca/diamondjubilee.