Students from Primary to Grade 12 have a chance to display their creative talents and win great prizes, including gift certificates, cash and a special Democracy 250 gift package, with three contests that focus on law and democracy.

The elementary student poster contest, junior high photo contest and high school speech contest are sponsored by the Canadian Bar Association of Nova Scotia and Democracy 250, and are part of Law and Democracy Week, April 14-19.

Democracy 250 co-chair Russell MacLellan said one of the key objectives of Democracy 250 is to get more young people thinking about the value of democracy and the importance of voting.

"This is a fun way to remind them they live in a great country where their freedoms, peace and security are protected by our laws and democracy," Mr. MacLellan said.

Canadian Bar Association of Nova Scotia president Julia Cornish said "CBA-NS is pleased to extend its annual Law Day celebrations to include a week-long program of events marking Law and Democracy Week in recognition of the 250th anniversary of Canada's first parliamentary democracy.

"It is a natural fit for CBA-NS and Democracy 250 to team up and reach out to students in a way that appeals to them and teaches them about how our laws and democracy are inter-connected."

Other events planned for Law and Democracy Week include a flag-raising ceremony at Province House, mock trials and a Celebrity Quiz Show on law and democracy.

Additional information on contest themes and contest rules are available by visiting the bar association website at www.cba.org/ns . Entry deadlines are March 31.

Media Contacts: Kevin MacDonald
                Canadian Bar Association of Nova Scotia
                902-453-1732

                Moira MacLeod
                Democracy 250
                902-424-1122
                Cell: 902-441-6956
                E-mail: macleoml@gov.ns.ca