Your Honour, distinguished recipients, former Lieutenant Governors, colleagues in the Legislature, Rear-Admiral, Brigadier General, Assistant Commissioner, Members of the Order of Nova Scotia Advisory Council, family and friends.

Welcome to Province House for the sixth investiture ceremony of the Order of Nova Scotia. This room – the Red Chamber – has seen its share of formal ceremonies, important occasions, and history. Therefore, it is a fitting place to honour the recipients of the Order of Nova Scotia.

Since its inception in 2001, this ceremony has become an annual celebration of Nova Scotians who have made an outstanding contribution to their communities and to our province.

Today's Order of Nova Scotia recipients are proof our province is blessed with men and women who share their truly extraordinary accomplishments. I am proud (along with Her Honour, the Lieutenant Governor) to recognize you with Nova Scotia's highest honour. Your work, your leadership and your community involvement have earned you the right to join a distinguished group of Nova Scotians who, like you, have helped make our province better.

Thank you for using your talent, your compassion, and your dedication for the benefit of others. And thank you for inspiring and teaching so many of us.

• Ms. Joyce Carman Barkhouse, as a founding member of the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia, and an author of several children's stories, you have touched the lives of many young people.
• Mr. Peter Stephen Clarke, you have been recognized both locally and nationally for your significant contributions to Nova Scotia's agriculture and agri-food industry and your dedication to setting high quality standards for food safety.
• Mr. Thomas de Vany Forrestall, you have made the preservation of our artistic and cultural heritage the focus of your career. We are all richer for the contributions you have made in preserving Nova Scotia's heritage.
• The Honourable Flora Isabel MacDonald, as the first woman in Canada to hold the portfolio of Secretary of State for External Affairs, and as an international humanitarian, your commitment has not only inspired others, but has paved the way for women in politics.
• Dr. William D. Stanish, you are a shining example of what hard work and determination can accomplish. As a world-class orthopedic surgeon, you are a leader in the medical community, contributing to world-wide publications and working with athletes during several Olympic games.

Many deserving Nova Scotians have been nominated for this prestigious honour – and each of you stood out because you proudly served our province in your special ways. You have made Nova Scotians proud.

I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to the members of the Order of Nova Scotia Advisory Council. Year after year, you are given the task of assessing many worthy candidates and deciding who will receive this prestigious honour. It is a challenging task and we appreciate the effort you put into the job.

This is a great province in which to live, learn, work and play. We are fortunate to have among us, so many people of amazing talent and tremendous dedication.

Thank you.