For the Record

HRM Not Invited to Africville News Conference

(Tuesday, March 30/2004)-- A number of news reports from many media outlets last evening and today may have left the impression with the public that officials of Halifax Regional Municipality declined to attend a news conference at the Community YMCA regarding Africville.

For the record, no one in the Office of the Mayor, the Chief Administrative Office, the Councillors Support Office nor any other HRM office to our knowledge received an invitation from African Nova Scotian Affairs Minister Barry Barnet, the Africville Genealogy Society, New Democrat MP Alexa McDonough, New Democrat MLA Maureen MacDonald or anyone else involved to attend the news conference.

Also, for the record, HRM staff (at the direction of Halifax Regional Council) has been involved in discussions for more than two years with a representative of the Africville Genealogy Society and descendants of some Africville residents with a view to further commemorating the historical significance of the former African-Nova Scotian community on the shores of Bedford Basin.

HRM has made an official offer to those parties, contingent on participation by the federal and Nova Scotia governments, and is awaiting formal reply.

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John O'Brien
Corporate Communications Officer
(902) 490-6531