Local officials and civic leaders were on hand Tuesday at the Bay Ferries terminal to wish bon voyage to the tree on its way to Saint John, and onwards to Boston. The tree is an annual gift in memory of Boston’s aid following the Halifax Explosion of 1917.
In the past, the provincial government placed the tree on a flatbed trailer and trucked it around the Bay of Fundy, but the practice was criticized locally last year for not making use of the Digby-Saint John ferry, especially since last year’s tree was cut in nearby Clementsport.
Queens MLA Vicki Conrad, who accompanied this year’s 15-metre white spruce to Digby, said she asked last year as the NDP’s transportation critic why the Transportation department didn’t use the ferry.
“The ferry is an important part of the link between Nova Scotia and the United States and anything we can do to help support the ferry is a good thing.”
Conrad is now ministerial assistant to Transportation Minister Bill Estabrooks.
Digby and Area Board of Trade president Kristy Herron said the area’s business community is pleased with the province’s decision to use the ferry service to transport the tree, particularly when the tree was harvested in southwestern Nova Scotia.
“The transportation of this provincial icon on the ferry shows Premier Darrell Dexter is listening to the concerns of South West Nova. Further, it is clear that this government follows through with the commitments that they made while sitting in opposition,” Herron said.
This year’s tree was cut in Fox Point, Lunenburg County, from property owned by Floyd and Elaine Shatford.
“We are happy to know that so many people can enjoy a tree that I’ve been able to enjoy my whole life,” said Shatford. The annual tree lighting in Boston takes place Dec. 3.
Also taking part Tuesday in a small ceremony at the Bay Ferries terminal were Digby mayor Ben Cleveland, Municipality of Digby warden Jim Thurber, Mike Adams of Bay Ferries, and Digby Clare CBDC executive director Julie MacLean.
Those interested can follow the tree to Boston via twitter @novascotialife
Christmas tree heads to Boston aboard ‘Princess of Acadia’
Christmas tree heads to Boston aboard ‘Princess of Acadia’
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Published on
November 19, 2009
- Published on January 31, 2010
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Leanne Delong/Digby
Nova Scotia’s gift of a Christmas tree to Boston took the ferry from Digby this week for the first time.
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