Growing and Expanding: March of Dimes in the Nova Scotia Legislature
November 2, 2010
As part of our Conductive Education advocacy and government relations in Nova Scotia, we recently worked through the offices of each MLA (52) to identify appropriate partnerships to promote and raise awareness of March of Dimes’ Conductive Education program in Nova Scotia.
After working with government and opposition Members, legislative staffers and research officers, it was decided to focus on the presentation of a legislative resolution in the House of Assembly, and that the Leader of the Official Opposition was the most appropriate MLA.
As a result, November 2nd became March of Dimes Conductive Education Awareness Day at Province House in Halifax. A reception and celebration of Conductive Education – including the Rock for Dimes event held the previous Friday in Halifax – was hosted by Hon. Wayne Gaudet, MLA and Opposition Critic for the Disabled Persons Commission. Twenty-seven MLAs from all parties (which represents roughly half of Nova Scotia’s elected representation) attended or participated in the event, held in the historic Red Chamber at Province House, which featured demonstrations and a learning session coordinated by Beth Brydon of our Conductive Education office in Halifax.
Even before everyone had exited the Red Chamber, MLAs – particularly Opposition Leader Stephen McNeil – had posted photos and public information both on his Party’s website and their Facebook pages. 
Click here to read the Hansard record.
The reception was immediately followed by something even more significant: the first time that March of Dimes was recognized and entered into the permanent legislative record of Nova Scotia. Hon. Stephen McNeil, Leader of the Opposition, and Health Critic Diana Whalen, delivered resolutions in the House of Assembly recognizing the "immense benefit" of March of Dimes and Conductive Education in Nova Scotia. Perhaps equally moving was the recognition by all MLAs of the Conductive Education participants in attendance in the Visitor’s Gallery.