Nominees Sought for 2009 Order of Nova Scotia

People are reminded to nominate or renominate someone who has made an outstanding contribution to their community for the 2009 Order of Nova Scotia. The nomination deadline is Friday, March 20.

Last year, an activist who brought justice to her community, an athlete who is an inspiration for youth, an advocate for the preservation of cultural heritage, a business leader who supports his community, and two people who have made significant contributions to the medical field received the province's highest honour.

Nora Bernard, Ruth Goldbloom, Michael Dan MacNeil, Thomas "Jock" Murray, and Mahmood Naqvi were invested into the Order of Nova Scotia in 2008. Sidney Crosby, the first youth recipient, will be invested later this year.

"The Order of Nova Scotia is the province's most prestigious way to honour Nova Scotians who have done significant work enhancing their communities," said Bill Dooks, Minister responsible for the administration of the Order of Nova Scotia Act. "All Nova Scotians should take the time to nominate or renominate someone to ensure they recieve the recognition they deserve."

Recipients are selected by the Order of Nova Scotia Advisory Council. In 2007, the Order of Nova Scotia Act was amended to include a recipient younger than 26, making a maximum of six people eligible to be invested into the Order of Nova Scotia each year.

"We encourage people to consider young people for nomination and anyone who has made a positive impact on our communities. We also want to remind people to renominate those who have been considered in the past," said Sister Dorothy Moore, chair of the Order of Nova Scotia Advisory Council. "There are many outstanding people who have been nominated in the past and deserve to be considered for the order this year."

Nova Scotians can be nominated for several reasons. They may work to protect human rights or preserve the cultural identity of their communities. They may be teachers, community leaders or inventors. Others might include peacekeepers, communicators or those who work to preserve the environment.

People who wish to renominate, need only fill out a new nomination form and submit a photocopy of the previous nomination package.

Nomination forms may be picked up at all Access Nova Scotia Centres. They are also available from Province House, offices of all members of the legislative assembly, Nova Scotia members of Parliament and the Senate, and municipal offices.

For more information, contact the Protocol Office at 902-424-4463, e-mail orderofns@gov.ns.ca or see the website at www.gov.ns.ca/prot/order.htm .