News release

Fire Safety Committee Seeking Input

House of Assembly

A select committee of the Nova Scotia legislature will be travelling the province this fall to consult with the public on fire protection.

"We want to hear from people concerned about fire safety," said Jon Carey, chair of the select committee on fire safety. "Ensuring that Nova Scotians are protected by effective fire prevention laws is very important."

Nova Scotia's current fire prevention law needs to be updated. Some members of the public had input into changes to the law that were introduced in June 2000 as Bill 58. Now, the government wants to widen its base of comments from the public and complete the legislation.

The all-party committee will review proposed changes to the Fire Prevention Act. It will also hold meetings across the province, during which it would like to hear from the public as well as those directly affected by the legislation, such as insurance companies, municipalities, fire fighters and the provincial fire marshal.

"The input we gather will give us the best possible fire protection legislation for Nova Scotia," said Mr. Carey.

The following public meetings are planned:

  • Sept. 25: Mira Road Fire Hall, 1757 George St., Sydney
  • Sept. 26: Port Hawkesbury Fire Hall, 309 Hiram St., Port Hawkesbury;
  • Sept. 27: Heather Hotel and Convention Centre, 130 Foord St., Stellarton;
  • Oct. 2; Salmon River Fire Hall, 1102 Salmon River Rd., Truro;
  • Oct. 3: Springhill Fire Hall, 3 Main St., Springhill;
  • Oct. 4: Sackville Volunteer Fire Hall, 1 Metropolitan Ave., Sackville;
  • Oct. 9: Oakhill and District Fire Hall, 2104 Hwy. 325, Bridgewater;
  • Oct. 10: Burridge Campus, 372 Pleasant St., Yarmouth;
  • Oct. 11: New Minas Fire Hall, 6 Jones St., New Minas; and
  • Oct. 16: Sheet Harbour Lion's Centre, 183 Westside East River Rd., Sheet Harbour.

All meetings will begin at about 7 p.m.

Joining Mr. Carey on the committee are MLAs Ron Chisholm, Kerry Morash, Cecil O'Donnell, Muriel Baillie, Frank Corbett, Graham Steele, Russell MacKinnon and Brian Boudreau.

People wishing to make submissions to the committee can do so in the following ways. They may make presentations at the public meetings or call toll-free 1-888-388-6489 and leave a message. They can also submit written information by e-mail at legcomm@gov.ns.ca, fax to 902-424-0513, or mail to Select Committee on Fire Safety, c/o Legislative Committees Office, P.O. Box 2630 Station M, Halifax, N.S., B3J 3N5.

People can get more information about the existing Fire Protection Act and Bill 58, the proposed amendments, on the government Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/legi/comlist.htm#fire .

Once all submissions are collected and reviewed, the committee will make recommendations in a report to the House of Assembly.