Wednesday, November, 6, 2013 (Halifax, NS) – HRM asked and the people of HRM responded with over 1,200 submissions for the name of the new harbour ferry, scheduled to go into service this spring.
Now it’s up to the residents of HRM.
Starting today, until Wednesday, November 20th, residents can log on to www.Halifax.ca/surveys and pick their favourite name from a list of five finalists. Those choices are:
– This Mi’kmaq name means ‘the biggest harbour’. There is evidence that the Mi’kmaq would spend the summer on the shores of the Bedford Basin, before heading inland for winter.
– Christopher Stannix was a graduate of Auburn High School and attended Saint Mary’s University. In 2001 he enlisted with the Canadian Armed Forces and in 2007 willingly accepted a reduction in rank to serve his county. In April 2007, Master Corporal Stannix was killed when the vehicle he was in struck a roadside bomb. He was 24 years old.
– Mr. Brownlow was a former Mayor of Dartmouth from 1976 until 1985 and was the longest serving Mayor in Dartmouth’s history. In addition to great service to public life, Mr. Brownlow also served as the Queen’s Harbour Master responsible for the safety of Halifax Harbour.
– ‘Captain Bob’ as he was known worked as a seaman on both the Bounty and the Bluenose II. In 1969 he took over as the Captain of the Halifax-Dartmouth Ferry and later served as Ferry Services Supervisor. Captain Keddy became synonymous with the ferry service until he retired in 1998. He passed away in March 2013.
– Vincent Coleman was a train dispatcher who, on the morning of the Halifax Explosion, December 6, 1917, telegraphed a message instructing all trains inbound for Halifax to stop. Hundreds of passengers were kept away from the impending explosion because of his efforts.
Additional information and background on all of the finalists are available on www.Halifax.ca/surveys.
The original list of 1,200 names was shortened down to 20 names by Metro Transit and HRM Corporate Communications staff, based on appropriateness and originality. The final list of five names was determined by a selection committee comprised of Mayor Savage and one councillor from each of the three HRM Community Councils. This was the process agreed to by Regional Council.
After the public voting has ended, the most popular submission will be sent to Transport Canada for approval to be used as the permanent name of the new harbour ferry. The person who submitted the winning name will receive a one-year free conventional transit pass.
For updates on the Ferry Naming Contest follow us on Twitter at @hfxtransit and use the hash tag #namethatferry.
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Media Contact: Janet Bryson HRM Communications 490-5057
Source: Release
