“We are expecting something in the neighbourhood of 1,500 delegates and guests,” said Local Arrangements Committee Chairman Dave Blanchard.

As in 2000 when the dominion convention was last held in Halifax, business will take place in the World Trade and Convention Centre and the Halifax Metro Centre. The main business session will begin at 8:30 a.m., Monday, June 11, on the floor of the Metro Centre, 1800 Argyle Street.

Convention registration is Saturday, from 1 to 5 p.m. and continues Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Monday from 8 to 10 a.m. The registration fee is $50 for delegates and $15 for observers. Payment is in cash only.

Branches are allowed one accredited delegate for every 100 ordinary, life, associate and affiliate-voting members, or fraction thereof. Any delegate accredited by the branch of which he is a member may carry up to four proxy credentials. The proxies may be from any banch or branches within the delegate’s own command and must be registered at the opening of the convention. Delegates must have their dues paid up to Dec. 31, 2012.

A credential certificate is included with the convention call which was issued in an all-branch mailing in December. It is to be completed indicating the number of delegates and proxies for the branch and forwarded to the provincial command office.

According to the General By-laws all resolutions must be received by Dominion Command 112 days prior to the opening of the convention. That means they must be forwarded to the provincial command office and then received at Dominion Command by Feb. 19.

Events begin Sunday with  a parade which assembles along Martello Street near Victoria Park. “Things will be a little different this time. The parade will start off at 1 p.m. and we will have the parade, remembrance service and opening ceremonies all in the afternoon,” said Blanchard.

The route is approximately one kilometre and will end at the Grand Parade by Halifax city hall where the city’s cenotaph is. “We’ve walked the route. It took us about 20-21 minutes,” said Blanchard. “When the remembrance service is over, the Halifax Metro Centre is just across the street. People can go right over and take their seats.”

The Halifax Stanfield International Airport is approximately 35 kilometres from downtown and 30 to 45 minutes to drive. Taxi and limousine service are available. A one-way trip to Halifax city centre is approximately $53 by taxi and $56 by limousine. The Airport Shuttle serves various hotels at a regular fare of $19.50 per person, one way.

Delegates are responsible for making their own hotel reservations. Blocks of rooms have been reserved at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront, the Delta Barrington, Delta Halifax, Cambridge Suites, Four Points by Sheraton, Atlantica Hotel, Lord Nelson Hotel, Prince George Hotel and Radisson Suite Hotel. There are also a number of camping and recreation vehicle parks in the Halifax area.

While visiting the city, delegates may want to take in some of the many attractions of the city such as the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. The star-shaped fortress was completed in 1856 and is the fourth in a series of forts on the site high on the hill overlooking the Halifax Harbour. Visitors can tour the grounds, see exhibits, the pageantry of the 78th Highlanders as well as music and other live performances.

The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 pays tribute to the Canadian immigration story using exhibits and film.

Province House, another National Historic Site, is the seat of the Nova Scotia government. Built around 1819, it is the oldest provincial legislative assembly in Canada. Charles Dickens called it “a gem of Georgian architecture.”

Not far from the city is one of Canada’s most recognized landmarks, the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove. About 45 kilometres south of the city, the lighthouse, built in 1915, is one of the most photographed sites in the country.