Like Boston's Holiday Tree? Blame Canada

Enlarge image

On November 29 at 8pm, Bay Staters young and old braved the cold and gathered on Boston Common to take part in the 71st annual tree lighting of Boston’s official Christmas tree. It was quite the spectacle, with pyrotechnics, ice skaters on the frog pond, Boston Ballet performers and Elliot Yamin from Season 5 of American Idol. Heck even the Grinch and Santa himself were there.

But before the switch was thrown and those beautiful lights blazed forth into the night air, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police Corporal (yes, a "Canadian Mountie") led a procession of Nova Scotians and Nova Scotian expatriates through the streets of Boston to the ceremony. Now if that sounds odd to you, you must not know the story behind Boston’s tree.

I sat down with the Deputy Premier of Nova Scotia on Boston Public Radio to hear why the maritime province is once again giving Boston a tree for Christmas this year.  

Guest:

• Frank Corbett, Deputy Premier of Nova Scotia