Nova Scotia Legislative Report – Fall Sitting Nov 23, 2012

The fall sitting of the 4th session of the 61st General Assembly of the Nova Scotia Legislature began on October 25, 2012. As of November 23, 2012, 20 Government Bills, 31 Private Members Bills and 5 Private Bills have been introduced during this sitting of the House of Assembly.

Below is a summary of those Bills introduced between November 19 and November 23, 2012.

GOVERNMENT BILLS

Bill No. 136 – Green Economy Act – Hon. Sterling Belliveau
This Bill revises and adds to the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act by revising the long term environmental and economic objectives of the Province to achieve sustainable prosperity and establish clear goals to work towards improving measures of social, environmental and economic indicators. To this end, the Province shall adopt a framework to transition to cleaner sources and sustainable uses of energy by supporting energy efficiency and conservation programs, sustainable transportation options, increased renewable energy, enhanced use of natural gas and enhanced innovation in research and development.

The goals for use of renewable energy sources have been amended by this Bill. Of the total electricity needs of the Province, 18.5 percent is to be obtained from renewable energy sources by 2013, 25 percent by 2015 and 40 percent by 2020. New energy efficiency ratings and requirements are adopted by the Nova Scotia Building Code and the Province continues to work with other levels of government on national emissions standards for greenhouse gases and air pollutants for new motor vehicles. New goals and timelines have been set to finalize a comprehensive waste-water management strategy and wastewater treatment facility standards. Finally, the Province has amended its goal of protected land mass to at least 12 percent to be legally protected by 2015.
Status: Passed second reading on November 20, 2012 and was referred to the Law Amendments Committee where meetings were held in November 22, 2012.

Bill No. 140 – Transgendered Persons Protection Act– Hon. Ross Landry
This Bill amends the Human Rights Act to explicitly include gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds of discrimination and harassment.
Status: Passed first reading on November 20, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.

Bill No. 143 – Importation of Wine for Personal Use Act – Hon. Maureen MacDonald
This Bill amends the Liquor Control Act to expand the regulation-making authority of the Governor in Council to include matters relating to the importation of wine from another province.
Status: Passed second reading on November 22, 2012 and was referred to the Law Amendments Committee.

Bill No. 144 – Insured Health Services Act – Hon. David Wilson
This Bill replaces the 39-year-old Health Services and Insurance Act (the provincial legislation that guides the health insurance program). This Bill establishes and maintains a program of insured health services for the public under which access to medically necessary care is based on need and not on an individual’s ability to pay. The Bill satisfies the eligibility criteria for federal funding under the Canada Health Act. This Bill also establishes and maintains a program of insured designated services for the public including a new appeals board for patients; collaborative models of care; explicit prohibitions against queue jumping, extra billing and user fees; places limits on direct billing; alternative funding arrangements for health-care providers; and eliminates reimbursements for services provided outside the MSI plan.
Status: Passed first reading on November 22, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.

Bill No. 147 – Regulated Health Professions Network Act – Hon. David Wilson
This Bill establishes the Nova Scotia Regulated Health Professions Network with the purpose to foster and enable collaboration among regulated health professions in a manner that upholds and protects the public interest, through enhanced regulation by the health professions. The Bill provides that the Network shall be a forum to share resources, information, trends and issues among the regulated health professions and others; promote best practices in health-profession regulation while preserving the regulatory autonomy of each regulated health profession; enable Network members to build capacity for their regulatory functions by facilitating collaboration with other Network members and other bodies; provide a single point of contact for discussion and consultation with government and others on matters that may impact the regulation of health professions; facilitate the development of strategies and approaches that will enable Network members to respond individually and collectively to regulatory challenges and opportunities; provide information to other bodies that will facilitate improvements in health-care delivery or regulation; encourage voluntary collaboration among Network members for any purpose that serves the public interest; develop voluntary collaborative regulatory processes to allow Network members to address matters relating to scopes of practice that arise among regulated health professions, collaborative investigative processes, collaborative registration review processes, and such other collaborative regulatory processes as are set out in the regulations.
Status: Passed first reading on November 22, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.

PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILLS

Bill No. 137 – Public Highways Act (amended) – Kelly Regan (Lib)
This Bill requires the Minister to perform regular inspections on bridges and overpasses and to post the results on the Government website within 90 days of completion.
Status: Passed first reading on November 19, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.

Bill No. 138 – Motor Vehicle Act (amended) – Allan MacMaster (PC)
This Bill amends the Motor Vehicle Act to permit a two-wheeled, self-balancing, battery-powered electric vehicle to be used on roadways by including them in the definition of “bicycle” under teh Act and on a sidewalk, through or over a safety zone and in a crosswalk by deeming their drivers to be pedestrians when in these areas and therefore overriding the provisions that would require them to drive on roadways or on bicycle-only lanes. The Bill also clarifies that provisions in the Act that prohibit passengers on bicycles, require bicycle helmets and prohibit trick riding continue to apply to these drivers while they are deemed to be pedestrians and further clarifies that these drivers do not have to follow the flow of traffic and ride single file.
Status: Passed first reading on November 19, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.

Bill No. 141 – Housing Development Corporation Act (amended) – Kelly Regan (Lib)
This Bill provides that all funding received by the Province from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation must be used for the purpose of housing.
Status: Passed first reading on November 20, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.

Bill No. 142 – Housing Development Corporation Act (amended) – Kelly Regan (Lib)
This Bill amends the Housing Development Corporation Act to establish a Housing Development Corporation Board to manage the Nova Scotia Housing Development Corporation and perform the other functions assigned to it by the Act, other enactments and the Governor in Council, subject to the authority of the Minister set out in the Act.
Status: Passed first reading on November 20, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.

Bill No. 145 – Residential Tenancies Act (Amended) – Diana Whalen (Lib)
This Act amends the Residential Tenancies Act to authorize tenants in the same building to make a joint application to the Director of Residential Tenancies with respect to a question arising under the Act, a breach of a lease or a contravention of the Act.
Status: Passed first reading on November 22, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.

Bill No. 148 – Trade Union Act (amended) – Hon. Jamie Baillie (PC)
This Bill amends the Trade Union Act to provide for the continued operation of Metro Transit’s Access-A-Bus service, Transit Cape Breton’s Handi-Trans service and similar services in the event of a labour dispute.
Status: Passed first reading on November 23, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.

Bill No. 149 – Public Service Act (amended) – Hon. Stephen McNeil (Lib)
This Bill establishes the Office of Fire and Emergency Services in the public service. The Bill provides that the Office will be presided over by the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations who has the supervision, direction and control of all affairs and matters relating to the Office and who shall supervise the performance of the functions of the Office.
Status: Passed first reading on November 23, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.

PRIVATE AND LOCAL BILLS

Bill No. 139 – Sisters of Saint Martha, An Act to Amend and Consolidate the Acts Respecting the (amended) – Hon. Maurice G Smith (NDP)
This Bill revises An Act to Amend and Consolidate the Acts Respecting the Sisters of Saint Martha. The Bill provides that the corporation of the Sisters of Saint Martha, constituted pursuant to the Act, will have the following objects: the relief of poverty, the advancement of education, the advancement of religion and other purposes beneficial to the community. The Bill provides that in the event of the dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the Corporation’s assets that remain after payment of its liabilities shall be distributed, taking into account the following order of priority: (1) Sophia Provident Fund Inc.; (2) a successor to the Congregation that is operating in Canada; (3) a qualified donee that is operating in Canada and has, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, a mission that is similar to that of the Congregation; and (4) a qualified donee that is operating in Canada.This Bill updates the description of the Corporation’s members to the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha of Antigonish and also updates the Corporation’s powers.
Status: Passed second reading on November 20, 2012 and was referred to the Amendments Committee on Private and Local Bills.

Bill No. 146 – East Hants Curling Arena Act – Hon. John MacDonell (NDP)
This Bill provides that the Municipality may borrow up to $600,000 to assist financially the Association in the construction of a curling arena situate in the Municipality for the purpose of encouraging and promoting recreational activity for the community at large. This Bill also provides that the Municipality may levy a charge, rate or tax for the purpose of retiring all or part of the debt incurred by the Municipality pursuant to the Act; enter into an agreement with the Association for the lending to the Association and repayment by the Association of all or part of the monies borrowed by the Municipality pursuant to the Act on such terms as the Council determines to be in the best interest of the Municipality; retire all or part of the debt incurred by the Municipality pursuant to the Act by such other method as the Council determines to be in the best interest of the Municipality; and that a charge, rate or tax levied pursuant to the Act may be levied and collected in the same manner and in all respects as other municipal charges, rates and taxes required for the ordinary lawful purposes of the Municipality are levied and collected.
Status: Passed first reading on November 22, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.

STATUS UPDATES

Status Update on Government Bills

Bill No. 1 – Status of the Artist Act– Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 5 – Municipal Government Act (amended) – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 9 – Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation (Nova Scotia) Act (amended) – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 11 – Nova Scotia Tartan Act (amended) – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 13 – Education Act (amended) – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 17 – Financial Measures (2012) Act – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 20 – Public Trustee Act (amended) – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 22 – Mortgage Regulation Act – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 24 – Purchasing Management Association of Canada Act (amended) – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 30 – Promotion of Respectful and Responsible Relationships Act – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 32 – Securities Act (amended) – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 34 – Matrimonial Statutes Repeal Act – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 37 – Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 39 – Maintenance and Custody Act (amended) – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 41 – Grandparents’ Rights Affirmation Act – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 52 – Conservation Easements Act (amended) – Status: Received Royal Assent May 11, 2012.
Bill No. 55 – Community Easements Act– Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 59 – Fish Harvesters Registration and Certification Act – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 61 – Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act (amended) – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 65 – Consumer Protection Act (amended)– Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 69 – Appropriations Act, 2012 – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 71 – Assessment Act (amended) – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 73 – Municipal Government Act (amended) – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 74 – Patient Safety Act – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 76 – Personal Health Information Act (amended) – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 77 – Medical Society Act (amended) – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 78 – Justice Administration (2012) Act – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 79 – Education Act (amended) – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 81 – Gaming Control Act (amended) – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 82 – Nova Scotia Association of Health Organizations, An Act to Incorporate (amended) – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 84 – Dalhousie University-Nova Scotia Agricultural College Merger Act –Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 86 – NewPage Port Hawkesbury Pension Plans Act – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 87 – Good Forestry Management on Crown Land Act – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 88 – Maritime Link Act – Status: Received Royal Assent May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 94 – House of Assembly Act (amended) – Passed second reading and was referred to the Law Amendments Committee where meetings were held on November 6, November 8, November 15, November 16 and November 20, 2012.
Bill No. 97 – Fairer Power Rates Act – Passed third reading on November 22, 2012 and is awaiting Royal Assent.
Bill No. 102 – Education Act (amended) – Passed the Committee of the Whole House on November 22, 2012 and is awaiting third reading debates.
Bill No. 105 – Agriculture and Marketing Act (amended) – Passed third reading on November 19, 2012 and is awaiting Royal Assent.
Bill No. 107 – Debt Collection and Management Reform (2012) Act – Passed the Committee of the Whole House on November 22, 2012 and is awaiting third reading debates.
Bill No. 109 – Bee Industry Act (amended) – Passed third reading on November 19, 2012 and is awaiting Royal Assent.
Bill No. 111 – Fur Industry Act (amended) – Passed second reading on November 8, 2012 and was referred to the Law Amendments Committee where meetings were held on November 20 and November 22, 2012.
Bill No. 112 – Municipal Government Act and Halifax Regional Municipality Charter (amended) – Passed third reading on November 19, 2012 and is awaiting Royal Assent.
Bill No. 114 – Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act (amended) – Passed third reading on November 19, 2012 and is awaiting Royal Assent.
Bill No. 115 – Interprovincial Investigative Authority Act (amended) – Passed third reading on November 19, 2012 and is awaiting Royal Assent.
Bill No. 119 – Cosmetology Act – Passed the Committee of the Whole House on November 22, 2012 and is awaiting third reading debates.
Bill No. 125 – War Amps Key Tag Act – Passed third reading on November 19, 2012 and is awaiting Royal Assent.
Bill No. 127 – Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Act (amended) – Passed the Committee of the Whole House on November 22, 2012 and is awaiting third reading debates.
Bill No. 131 – School Board Members Duties Clarification Act – Passed second reading on November 16, 2012 and was referred to the Law Amendments Committee where meetings were held on November 20 and November 22, 2012.
Bill No. 133 – Inter-city Bus Service Act – Passed second reading on November 19, 2012 and was referred to Law Amendments Committee where meetings were held on November 22, 2012.
Bill No. 136 – Green Economy Act – Passed second reading on November 20, 2012 and was referred to Law Amendments Committee where meetings were held on November 22, 2012.
Bill No. 140 – Transgendered Persons Protection Act– Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.
Bill No. 143 – Importation of Wine for Personal Use Act – Passed second reading on November 22, 2012 and was referred to Law Amendments Committee.
Bill No. 144 – Insured Health Services Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.
Bill No. 147 – Regulated Health Professions Network Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.

Status Update on Private Member’s Bills

Bill No. 2 – Tax Review (2012-13) Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 3 – Sales Tax Act (amended) – Debate was adjourned on second reading.
Bill No. 4 – Maintenance and Custody Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 6 – Fair Treatment of Children Act– Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 7 – Concussion Awareness Act– Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 8 – Joseph Howe Day Act– Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 10 – Blueprint for the Future of Public Education in Nova Scotia Act – Debate was adjourned on second reading.
Bill No. 12 – Petroleum Products Pricing Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 14 – Trade Union Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 15 – House of Assembly Management Commission Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 16 – Affordable Higher Education Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 18 – Agriculture and Marketing Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 19 – Early Development Instrument Assessment Program Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 21 – Sound Recording Tax Credit Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 23 – Day Care Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 25 – Victims’ Rights and Services Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 26 – Stand Up Against Bullying Day Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 27 – Cyberbullying Intervention Act – Debate was adjourned on second reading.
Bill No. 28 – Safer Schools Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 29 – Child Protection Intervention Act – Debate was adjourned on second reading.
Bill No. 31 – Residential Tenancies Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 33 – Diabetic Persons Support Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 35 – Motor Vehicle Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 36 – Income Tax Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 38 – Finance Act (amended)– Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 40 – Labour Standards Code (amended) – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 42 – Rural Nova Scotia Physicians Act – Status: Debate adjourned on second reading.
Bill No. 43 – Newly Trained Nova Scotia Doctors Act – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 44 – Health Act (amended) – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 45 – Ratepayer Protection Act – Status: Debate adjourned on second reading.
Bill No. 46 – Electricity Act (amended) – Status: Debate adjourned on second reading.
Bill No. 47 – Modernizing Government Act – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 48 – Balanced Budget Act – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 49 – Income Tax Act (amended) – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 50 – Next Generation Act – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 51 – Red Tape Reduction Act – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 53 – Debt Settlement Protection Act – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 54 – Power Rate Reduction Review Act – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 56 – Elimination of Bonuses in Power Rates Act – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 58 – Transparency in Power Rates Act – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 60 – Ratepayer Fairness Act – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 62 – Pension Benefits Act (amended) – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House
Bill No. 63 – Transparency for Homeowners Act – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 64 – Income Tax Act (amended) – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 66 – Multiple Sclerosis Patient Support Act– Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 67 – Buy Nova Scotia First Act – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 68 – Value for Money Act– Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 70 – Multiple Sclerosis Liberation Therapy Act – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 72 – Capital Projects Review Act – Status: Debate adjourned on second reading.
Bill No. 75 – An Act to Provide Greater Flexibility for Nova Scotians’ Retirement Savings in Locked-in Accounts – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 80 – Child and Youth Advocate Act – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 85 – Workers’ Compensation Act (amended) – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 89 – Trade Union Act (amended) – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 91 – Condominium Act (amended) – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 92 – Safe Collection of Scrap Metal Act (amended) – Status: Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 93 – Labour Standards Code (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 95 – Reliability and Accountability in Electricity Act – Debate was adjourned on second reading.
Bill No. 96 – Public Utilities Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 98 – Nova Scotia Power Stranded Asset Disclosure Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 99 – Revenue Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 100 – Green Energy Promotion Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 101 – Public Utilities Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 103 – Accountability in Economic Development Assistance Act (amended) – Debate was adjourned on second reading.
Bill No. 104 – Increasing Immigration to Nova Scotia Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 106 – Education Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 108 – Bluenose Trust Accountability Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 110 – Supporting All Students’ Success in the Classroom Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 113 – Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 116 – Environmental Ombudsman Act –Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 118 – Offshore Safety Standards Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 120 – Education Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 121 – Review to Invest in Student Achievement Act –Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 122 – Trade Union Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 123 – Liquor Control Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 124 – Multi-Year Funding Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 126 – Code of Ethics Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.
Bill No. 128 – An Act to Support Students with Diabetes and Other Life-threatening Illnesses – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.
Bill No. 132 – Income Tax Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.
Bill No. 134 – Liquor Control Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.
Bill No. 135 – Liquor Control Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.
Bill No. 137 – Public Highways Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.
Bill No. 138 – Motor Vehicle Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.
Bill No. 141 – Housing Development Corporation Act (amended) – Passed first and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.
Bill No. 142 – Housing Development Corporation Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.
Bill No. 145 – Residential Tenancies Act (Amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.
Bill No. 148 – Trade Union Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.
Bill No. 149 – Public Service Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.

Status Update on Private and Local Bills

Bill No. 57 – Crosbie Memorial Trust Fund Act (amended) – Received Royal Assent on May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 83 – Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival, An Act to Incorporate the (amended)– Status: Received Royal Assent on May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 90 – Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Commission Act (amended) – Status: Received Royal Assent on May 17, 2012.
Bill No. 117 – Anne Murray Centre, An Act to Exempt Property of the Anne Murray Centre in the Town of Springhill from Municipal Taxes – Passed second reading and was referred to the Committee for Private and Local Bills.
Bill No. 129 – Liverpool United Baptist Church Cemetery Act – Passed second reading and was referred to the Committee for Private and Local Bills.
Bill No. 130 – Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches Act – Passed second reading and was referred to the Committee for Private and Local Bills.
Bill No. 139 – Sisters of Saint Martha, An Act to Amend and Consolidate the Acts Respecting the (amended) – Passed second reading and was referred to the Committee for Private and Local Bills.
Bill No. 146 – East Hants Curling Arena Act – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principal by the House.

THE PROGRESS OF BILLS IN THE NOVA SCOTIA LEGISLATURE

The legislative process begins when a Bill is presented by a Member of the House of Assembly and is given First Reading by the House, without debate.

A Bill is given Second Reading after being debated in principle in the House.

Following Second Reading, Bills are referred to one of the legislative committees – the Law Amendments Committee or Private and Local Bills Committee – for detailed discussion in meetings outside the House.  Members of the public can attend the meetings of these Committees and make presentations respecting any Bill.  Amendments are frequently considered and may be adopted and included in the Bill when it is reported back to the House.

Bills reported back from the legislative committees are debated, clause by clause, by the members of the House acting as the Committee of the Whole House on Bills.  The Bill is then reported back to the House.

The Bill receives Third Reading and the final approval of the House.  There may be some debate at this stage but usually the Bill is voted on with no discussion.

The Bill receives Royal Assent when the Lieutenant Governor signs the final version.  The Bill is then referred to as an Act, and is assigned a chapter number in the Statutes of Nova Scotia.

Commencement is the day on which the Act takes effect.  Ordinarily, an Act takes effect when it is given Royal Assent.  Sometimes, however, it provides that it will come into effect only when is it proclaimed to take effect by Order in Counsel to be made by the Cabinet.

Government Bills are introduced by the Minister of the department responsible for the legislation.  Private Members Bills are generally introduced by a member of the opposition parties.  Government Bills have a higher likelihood of becoming law since the largest party in the Legislative Assembly supports the initiative. Except in a minority government, Private Members Bills are unlikely to be brought forward for substantive debate or become law.

If you wish to be informed when a specific piece of legislation is scheduled to be heard by a legislative committee, please contact us and we will make arrangements for you to be so informed.