Nova Scotia Sites Win Big in Seven Wonders Contest
In the challenge to name the Seven Wonders of Canada, three iconic Nova Scotia sites were named to the competition's short list.
When CBC, our country's public television and radio broadcaster, challenged the nation to name seven inspiring, spectacular, unique places that represented the very essence of Canada, the Cabot Trail, the Bay of Fundy, and Pier 21 National Historic Site were top contenders. Of the received 25,000 nominations received from Canadians, these three Nova Scotian wonders made the short list of fifty-two.
Over a million votes were cast by Canadians to name the Seven Wonders. The nominations and votes poured in by phone and on line. In nominating the Bay of Fundy to be designated one of Canada's Seven Wonders, Rick Foote wrote: "A foot every 10 minutes. You can literally stand there and watch the tide rise or fall. When you combine this with an absolutely incredible variety of seabirds, shorebirds, fish, shellfish, whales, porpoises, seals and other fantastic creatures there can be no doubt that the Bay of Fundy is one of this planet's wonders. Seeing it once is seldom enough for anyone." While James Foster was more succinct but just as zealous, stating simply: "Good grief, you'd have to see it to believe it!"
The judges of the Seven Wonders competition noted that the nominations for the Cabot Trail were among the most passionate for any nominee. And no wonder. Cape Breton, was recently ranked number 2 on Gentleman's Quarterly's (GQ's) list of Best Summer Escapes. And the island was also in the number two spot on Travel and Leisure Magazine's 2007 Best Islands in the Continental U.S. and Canada list. Fred Gillis was eloquent in his written nomination for the Cabot Trail as one of Canada's Seven Wonders: "In my humble opinion, the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton represents a true marriage of natural and man-made beauty. In a trip around the trail you will experience rugged Highland mountains as they gently hug the Atlantic Ocean, quaint fishing villages nestled in out-of-the-way coves, world-class golfing. . . . and the hospitality of Cape Bretoners wishing you 100,000 welcomes . . ."
When the votes were tallied and the judges had carefully reviewed and assessed each of the fifty-two finalists, Pier 21 National Historic Site – the gateway to Canada for generations of immigrants who shaped this nation, stood proudly in the list of the Seven Wonders of Canada. From 1928 to 1971, more than a million new Canadians crossed the threshold of Pier 21. Today, more than twenty per cent of Canadians have a direct link to Canada’s last surviving ocean immigration shed. As a museum, Pier 21 offers a rich, dramatic hands-on experience in exploring Canada’s immigration history, nation building and multiculturalism through interactive displays, multimedia presentations, a research centre, travelling and permanent exhibits. Franz Dembeck"s Seven Wonders nomination sums up the power of a visit to Canada's Pier 21: "After 55 years in this wonderful country, there is still nothing that grabs my soul, my imagination, puffs out my chest and yes, even brings a little tear of joy to my eyes, than walking through Pier 21's doors onto the sacred ground that made it possible for me to become a Canadian." To learn more about Pier 21, please visit www.pier21.ca.