2012 marks Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's 60th anniversary as Queen of Canada. The Diamond Jubilee is a time to honour Her Majesty's 60 years of service and dedication to our country. To date, there has only been one other Diamond Jubilee celebrated in Canada - that of Queen Victoria in 1897.

The Diamond Jubilee is an opportunity to celebrate our ties with the Commonwealth, our traditions, and our rich and diverse heritage. It is a time to recognize Nova Scotians for outstanding service to their communities and province. It is an opportunity for young Nova Scotians to learn about good governance and active citizenship, and what it means to have a strong commitment to community, province and country.

Since The Queen's accession to the Throne in 1952, Her Majesty has visited Canada 22 times, and Nova Scotia five times, with the most recent in 2010.

Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Canada will begin on February 6th and will continue throughout the year. They include a medal program, funding for community celebrations, and a public awareness and education component.