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Nova Scotia Legislature 2023 Fall Sitting

With the return of the Nova Scotia Legislature last week, the Houston Government has been busy moving several pieces of government legislation that it will seek to pass during this session.

The Iris team is happy to provide an analysis and summary of the various legislation pieces below.

Iris Insights

As anticipated, the government has introduced bills and amendments primarily focused on healthcare and housing, with some issue-specific legislation and red tape reduction measures. As the government looks to take further steps on these key priority areas, the legislation and amendments will enable them to implement their agenda and show progress to the public. The recently introduced legislation aligns with numerous campaign commitments and priorities of the PC Party, including universal addictions and mental health coverage.

Government Bills

Municipal Reform (2023) Act - 340

  • Introduced by Honourable John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
  • Amendments to several pieces of legislation will enable the implementation of a renegotiated Service Exchange Agreement with municipalities.

Financial Measures (Fall 2023) Act - 339

  • Introduced by Honourable Allan MacMaster, Minister of Finance and Treasury Board
  • The act provides the authority to implement measures which have financial implications for the Province. It includes proposed legislative amendments to reduce the tax burden on builders of new rental housing to encourage more construction.

Electricity Act (amended) - 337

  • Introduced by Honourable Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables
  • Amendments to the Electricity Act will help add more renewable energy to the grid and clear a path for energy storage solutions.

 Health Services and Insurance Act (amended) - 334

  • Introduced by Honourable Brian Comer, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health
  • Amendments to the Health Services and Insurance Act allow the Minister of Addictions and Mental Health to establish insured service programs to deliver mental health and addiction care as part of a publicly funded healthcare system.

Workers Compensation Act (amended) - 332

  • Introduced by Honourable Jill Balser, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration
  • Amendments to the Workers’ Compensation Act to allow gradual onset stress to be considered an injury eligible for compensation.

 Halifax Regional Municipality Charter (amended) and Housing in the Halifax Regional Municipality Act (amended) - 329

  • Introduced by Honourable John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
  • Amendments to the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter and the Housing in the Halifax Regional Municipality Act would provide legislative authority to speed up development approvals, increase density and reduce barriers to housing builds in HRM.

 Motor Vehicle Act (amended) - 327

  • Introduced by Honourable Kim Masland, Minister of Public Works
  • Amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act would remove the requirement for the Traffic Authority to approve a company’s plan for using an automated flagger assistance device.

Regulated Health Professions Act - 323

  • Introduced by Honourable Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness
  • The act will eventually replace 21 acts currently in place for self-regulated healthcare professions. The Naturopathic Doctors Act and the Medical Professional Corporations Act will be repealed.

Opioid Damages and Health-care Costs Recovery Act (amended) - 322

  • Introduced by Honourable Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness
  • Amendments to the Opioid Damages and Health-care Costs Recovery Act make consultants subject to potential legal action and align definitions and formulas in the act with legislation in other provinces and territories.

Conseil scolaire acadien provincial Act — Loi sur le Conseil scolaire acadien provincial - 321

  • Introduced by Honourable Becky Druhan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
  • The act reinforces the existing duties and powers of the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) and affirms the Province’s commitment to working with CSAP.

Tourist Accommodations Registration Act (amended) - 320

  • Introduced by Honourable John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
  • Amendments would enable higher registration fees to be set through regulations for short-term accommodations. The proposed changes will ensure that fees will be based on the size of the community where they are located. The Province will also increase fines for breaking registration rules.

First Responders Day Act - 319

  • Introduced by Honourable Tim Houston, Premier
  • The legislation would proclaim May 1 of each year as First Responders’ Day in Nova Scotia.

The Iris team has supported numerous clients in their engagement with the government on new legislation and regulatory changes, including speaking at the Law Amendments Committee. Please get in touch with our experienced team for any support you or your organization may need.