Ties with U. S.
Confederation (1867) was fought by wealthy merchants in Nova Scotia, since their ties were with Boston and New York. It was felt that Confederation would damage trading ties.

Recently put on the net, "The Canadian Current, 1850-1914," has something about the close relationship.
http://www.archive.org/stream/canadiancurrent100mcleuoft/canadiancurrent100mcleuoft_djvu.txt

Not pertinent to your search, but important to an understanding of Nova Scotia's relationships with the world; there was more interchange with New England and NY than with the rest of Canada. Large numbers of people moved back and forth.