Following the petition for a new lodge being presented to Grand Lodge, a preliminary meeting was held on March 13, 1959 in the Banquet Room of the Masonic Hall, 1533 Barrington Street, Halifax. It was agreed that all provisional officers be serving members of the RCAF, and that the name of the new lodge be Ad Astra, derived from the motto on the RCAF crest (Per Ardua Ad Astra - Through Adversity to the Stars). Dates were set for monthly meetings and dues at $10.00 per annum.