On July 1^st, 2021 we will mark the 154^th birthday of Canada. 

As we emerge from the turbulent times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we can all be thankful for the frontline workers who tirelessly continued their work to keep us safe and healthy, and who ensured that the essential services that we rely upon remained in place with little or no interruption.  On behalf of Her Majesty The Queen and all Nova Scotians, I offer my heartfelt thanks for their dedication and commitment.

While we celebrate the achievements of our nation, we must also pause to remember and reflect upon our history.  Although we have much to celebrate, we must also acknowledge that our past includes policies that were extremely harmful to our Indigenous peoples who suffered and continue to feel the pain of these policies.  We all have a responsibility to accept this history and we must take a part in ensuring that every child, woman and man is equal and worthy of the opportunity to thrive and succeed. 

To all citizens of our province, my wife Patsy and I wish you good health and happiness as we move into the summer months with the hope that we can all soon return to a degree of normalcy.

Happy Canada Day.

The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, ONS, QC
Lieutenant Governor