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 30, 2012, 27 Government Bills, 33 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 26 and November 30, 2012.
GOVERNMENT BILLS
Bill No. 150 – Residential Tenancies Act (Amended) – Hon. John MacDonell
This Bill amends the Residential Tenancies Act to establish processes for a tenant who is a victim of domestic violence to terminate the tenant’s lease early. This Bills also authorizes the Director of Residential Tenancies to set aside a tenant’s notice to quit for failure by the tenant to give the notice, and the certificate issued by the Director of Victim Services to the landlord as required by the Act. The Bill also adds an immunity provision with respect to acts or omissions of Government employees or agents made in good faith while exercising authority under the Act.
Status: Passed second reading on November 27, 2012 and was referred to Law Amendments Committee where meetings were held November 29, 2012.
Bill No. 151 – Workers’ Compensation Act (amended) – Hon. Marilyn More
This Bill amends the Workers’ Compensation Act providing that a coal miner who receives a permanent-impairment benefit pursuant to the Act may only have the benefit increased and not reduced on review.
Status: Passed second reading on November 29, 2012 and was referred to Law Amendments Committee.
Bill No. 153 – Community Interest Companies Act – Hon. John MacDonell
This Bill establishes the designation of Community Interest Company and sets up the necessary machinery, processes and eligibility requirements for the registration of such entities. A Community Interest Company must have as its purpose beneficial to society at large or a segment of society that is broader than the group of persons who are related to the Community Interest Company.
Status: Passed second reading on November 9, 2012 and was referred to Law Amendments Committee.
Bill No. 155 – Richmond–NewPage Port Hawkesbury Tax Agreement Act (amended) – Hon. John MacDonell
This Bill authorizes the Municipality of the County of Richmond to tax Port Hawkesbury Paper GP Ltd. as assignee of NewPage Port Hawkesbury Corp. (formerly known as Stora Enso Port Hawkesbury Limited) for the term from September 28, 2012 until March 31, 2016, in accordance with the terms of an agreement between the parties reproduced as a Schedule to the Act which provides that NewPage Port Hawkesbury Corp. and the Municipality will jointly approach the Province of Nova Scotia to amend or repeal and replace the Richmond Stora Enso Taxation Act and to otherwise authorize and empower the Municipality with necessary retroactive effect to set municipal real property taxes; and that the amended agreement is conditional upon the Province of Nova Scotia amending or repealing and replacing the Richmond Stora Enso Taxation Act to authorize and empower the Municipality as contemplated in the Bill; and that the Municipality consents to the assignment of the amended agreement by NewPage Port Hawkesbury Corp. to Port Hawkesbury Paper GP Ltd in its capacity as general partner for Port Hawkesbury Paper Limited Partnership provided and as a condition of such assignment, Port Hawkesbury Paper GP Ltd on behalf of Port Hawkesbury Paper Limited Partnership shall execute an assumption agreement binding itself to the provisions of the amended agreement.
Status: Passed first reading on November 29, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 156 – Halifax Regional Water Commission Act (amended) – Hon. John MacDonell
This Bill updates the Halifax Regional Water Commission Act to reflect that the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter is the legislation overseeing HRM, identifying that the Act supercedes if there is a conflict with the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter relating to the specific operation of the Commission, clarifying the appointment of commissioners and amends provisions relating to financial reporting as a result of the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board decisions.
The Bill also updates the Act so that Halifax Regional Water Commission has the same permissions that other municipalities have related to the use and sale of alternative energy sources such as the leasing of Halifax Regional Water Commission land for wind turbines; and the generation of heat or energy from by-products of Commission water, wastewater or sewer operations, in addition to the other incidental business activities of the Commission.
Status: Passed first reading on November 29, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 157 – Halifax Regional Municipality Charter (amended) – Hon. John MacDonell
This Bill amends the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter to permit the erection by the Municipality of a permanent building on the North Common of Halifax in support of the Oval.
Status: Passed first reading on November 29, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 158 – Film Nova Scotia Act (amended) – Hon. Percy Paris
This Bill changes the name of Film Nova Scotia to Film and Creative Industries Nova Scotia. The Bill creates a board of directors made up of the Deputy Minister or his or her designate and up to twelve members appointed by the Governor in Council and provides that the appointment of the President of Film and Creative Industries Nova Scotia by the board of directors is subject to the written approval of the Minister. The Bill expands Film and Creative Industries Nova Scotia’s power to render financial and other assistance to all creative industries in Nova Scotia. The Bill further requires that Film and Creative Industries Nova Scotia prepare and submit to the Minister five-year strategic plans, annual business plans, annual reports analyzing the Corporation’s performance, five-year evaluations of Film and Creative Industries Nova Scotia’s activities and other reports as specified by the Minister.
Status: Passed first reading on November 30, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILLS
Bill No. 152 – Legislative Internship Act – Diana Whalen (Lib)
This Bill establishes the Legislative Internship Program, the purpose of which is to provide interns with an opportunity to gain practical experience in the day-to-day work of the House of Assembly and a comprehensive knowledge of the legislative process in the Province.
Status: Passed first reading on November 27, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 154 – Education Act (amended) – Eddie Orrell (PC)
This Bill proposes to limit class sizes in grades primary to three to no more than 25 students unless otherwise requested by a school advisory council and approved by the Minister.
Status: Passed first reading on November 28, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
PRIVATE AND LOCAL BILLS
None.
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 third reading on November 23, 2012 and is awaiting Royal Assent.
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 third reading on November 23, 2012 and is awaiting Royal Assent.
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 third reading on November 27, 2012 and is awaiting Royal Assent.
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 third reading on November 23, 2012 and is awaiting Royal Assent.
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 third reading on November 23, 2012 and is awaiting Royal Assent.
Bill No. 131 – School Board Members Duties Clarification Act – Passed third reading on November 27, 2012 and is awaiting Royal Assent.
Bill No. 133 – Inter-city Bus Service Act – Passed third reading on November 27, 2012 and is awaiting Royal Assent.
Bill No. 136 – Green Economy Act – Passed the Committee of the Whole House on November 29, 2012 and is awaiting third reading.
Bill No. 140 – Transgendered Persons Protection Act– Passed the Committee of the Whole House on November 29, 2012 and is awaiting third reading.
Bill No. 143 – Importation of Wine for Personal Use Act – Passed the Committee of the Whole House on November 29, 2012 and is awaiting third reading.
Bill No. 144 – Insured Health Services Act – Passed second reading on November 26, 2012 and was referred to Law Amendments Committee where meetings were held on November 28, 2012.
Bill No. 147 – Regulated Health Professions Network Act – Passed second reading on November 26, 2012 and was referred to Law Amendments Committee where meetings were held on November 29, 2012.
Bill No. 150 – Residential Tenancies Act (Amended) – Passed second reading on November 27, 2012 and was referred to Law Amendments Committee on November 29, 2012.
Bill No. 151 – Workers’ Compensation Act (amended) – Passed second reading on November 29, 2012 and was referred to Law Amendments Committee.
Bill No. 153 – Community Interest Companies Act – Passed second reading on November 29, 2012 and was referred to Law Amendments Committee.
Bill No. 155 – Richmond–NewPage Port Hawkesbury Tax Agreement Act (amended) – Passed first reading on November 29, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 156 – Halifax Regional Water Commission Act (amended) – Passed first reading on November 29, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 157 – Halifax Regional Municipality Charter (amended)- Passed first reading on November 29, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 158 – Film Nova Scotia Act (amended) – Passed first reading on November 30, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principle 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 principle 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 principle by the House.
Bill No. 132 – Income Tax Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 134 – Liquor Control Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 135 – Liquor Control Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 137 – Public Highways Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 138 – Motor Vehicle Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 141 – Housing Development Corporation Act (amended) – Passed first and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 142 – Housing Development Corporation Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 145 – Residential Tenancies Act (Amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 148 – Trade Union Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 149 – Public Service Act (amended) – Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 152 – Legislative Internship Act – Passed first reading on November 27, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.
Bill No. 154 – Education Act (amended) – Passed first reading on November 28, 2012 and is awaiting debate in principle 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 second reading on November 27, 2012 and was referred to the Committee for Private and Local Bills.
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.
