Orders in Council (OIC)

What is an OIC?

An Order in Council is a legal instrument made by the Governor in Council pursuant to a statutory authority or, less frequently, the royal prerogative. All OICs are made on the recommendation of the responsible Minister of the Crown and take legal effect only when signed by the Lieutenant Governor and, for OICs that make regulations, when the filing and publication requirements of the Regulations Act are met.

The Executive Council Office maintains the OIC database which contains OICs listed by number, year, department or Statute from 1991 to present. If you are looking for an OIC prior to 1991, please email the Executive Council Office at ECOAdmin@novascotia.ca.