Nominations Sought for 2012 Order of Nova Scotia

Nova Scotians make significant contributions to their communities every day, and the province wants help to recognize outstanding citizens with the Order of Nova Scotia.

The province is seeking nominations, and renominations, for the order until Friday, March 16.

"The Order of Nova Scotia is the highest honour that this province can give," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "Nova Scotians need to help find those deserving people who work tirelessly to give back to their communities and thank them for making Nova Scotia a better place for the families who live here.

"I strongly encourage people to nominate someone for the Order of Nova Scotia, or to re-nominate someone, as re-nominations have been very successful."

Nova Scotians can be nominated for a variety of reasons. In 2011, the first African Nova Scotian MLA Wayne Adams, business leader Sir Graham Day, political cartoonist Bruce MacKinnon, Mi'kmaq rights advocate Joseph Marshall and author Budge Wilson were all invested into the Order of Nova Scotia.

"Receiving the Order of Nova Scotia was such an honour. The ceremony was wonderful, and I felt humbled in the company of the other outstanding recipients. It was a very special experience for me," said Budge Wilson, author and 2011 Order of Nova Scotia recipient. "I am grateful to know that someone was touched enough by my work to take the time and effort to nominate me."

Nomination forms are available at all Access Nova Scotia centres, Province House, offices of members of the legislative assembly, Nova Scotia members of Parliament and the Senate, and municipal offices.

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

For more information, contact the Protocol Office at 902-424-2467, e-mail orderofns@gov.ns.ca or visit the website at www.gov.ns.ca/iga/order.asp.