Annual New Year's Day Levée Cancelled

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the lieutenant-governor’s annual New Year’s Day Levée is cancelled this year. In its place, the lieutenant-governor will present a video message intended for all Nova Scotians.

“With much regret, I am obliged to cancel the upcoming levée that has been hosted by lieutenant governors since before the time my ancestors arrived in Acadia in 1652,” said Lt.-Gov. LeBlanc. “Patsy and I very much look forward to being able to host events again. However, in the meantime, we offer a toast to all Nova Scotians and wish you the very best for a happy and healthy 2021.”

The video message may be seen on the lieutenant-governor’s Facebook page on Dec. 31: https://www.facebook.com/LtGovNS

Quick Facts:

• levée is derived from the French word levée, meaning to rise
• levées originated in France with Louis XIV; the French king would welcome his male subjects to his bedchamber to watch him wake and rise
• the first recorded levée in Canada was held on Jan. 1,1646 by Charles Huault de Montmagny, governor of New France. The focus was on fur traders paying their respects to the governor
• the New Year’s Day Levée is a social event hosted by the Governor General of Canada, lieutenant-governors, military establishments, municipalities and other institutions
• each year, approximately 700 guests attend the levée at Government House in Halifax