News Archive

(ANNAPOLIS ROYAL, NS) The federal government is currently reviewing a funding proposal submitted last fall by the Canada Legacy Society (CLS), a consortium of nine municipal units from western Nova Scotia focused on a collaborative regional approach to mark Canada's 150^th birthday celebrations scheduled for 2017.

The CLS executive was briefed on progress by West Nova Member of Parliament Colin Fraser during a meeting on February 12 in Annapolis Royal.

Fraser said that the proposal was currently before senior Heritage Canada staff in Ottawa and a decision on funding should be coming soon.

“Things are definitely happening”, Fraser reported, “And we are continuing to make a coordinated pitch at the top levels.”

The MP was joined by Premier Stephen McNeil at a meeting with Canadian Heritage Minister, the Hon. Melanie Joly, last month to make the case for support, and Fraser said their conversation went well.

“The Minister was impressed with the fact that nine municipalities had joined in collaboration to make this submission, which showed a strong willingness to work together to showcase the area on the Canadian stage”, Fraser disclosed.

The current participating municipal units are the Municipality of the County of Kings; the Town of Middleton, The Municipality of the County of Annapolis; the Town of Annapolis Royal; The Municipality of the District of Digby; the Town of Digby; the Municipality of Argyle; the Town of Yarmouth and the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth.

Two additional municipal units have recently expressed an interest in joining the Society heritage initiative.

CLS President Michael Tompkins, Mayor of Annapolis Royal, said he appreciated the efforts of the Premier and the MP on their behalf, but was increasingly concious of the emerging timeline.

“ It's just a little over ten months until 2017 and we need to be working on our strategic marketing initiatives and setting a national promotional agenda as soon as possible” Tompkins explained.

However Tompkins and the other executive members, Municipality of Digby Warden Linda Gregory and Annapolis County Councillor Marilyn Wilkins, were quick to commend MP Fraser for his work on their behalf, and especially his readiness to personally provide regular updates.

“We appreciate his help and acknowledge that that the recent change in government precipitated a pause in policy reviews”, the Mayor allowed, “But we're hoping that brisk progress will now be made”.

The MP and the CLS executive members, along with administrative staff, agreed to schedule a follow up meeting early in March to review ongoing progress.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:           

Peter MacLellan
Communications Coordinator
Canada Legacy Society
(902) 308-3331
raeberryinfo@gmail.com