Legislation Facilitating E-commerce Introduced

Doing business online just got easier thanks to legislation introduced today by Justice Minister Michael Baker. The Electronic Commerce Act recognizes the legal validity of electronic transactions--ensuring that Nova Scotia's business community remains competitive in the global marketplace.

"Even though electronic communications is widely accepted, the law assumes most transactions occur in writing--calling their legal validity into question," said Mr. Baker. "This legislation removes the uncertainty surrounding electronic transactions, and brings Nova Scotia into the 21st century."

The legislation brings Nova Scotia in line with most other jurisdictions in the country. It is also part of a national Commercial Law Strategy, designed to reform and harmonize a number of commercial statutes to make Canada a better place to do business.

The Act provides the flexibility needed in today's business community. It does not require government or the private sector to accept electronic communications, but does clarify the legality of electronic commerce,should the parties choose to conduct business in this fashion.

The legislation means that an electronic signature will satisfy the legal requirement for a signature. Where the signature is provided to government, an electronic signature will satisfy legal requirements as long as there is consent to accept electronic signatures.

The Act does not apply to wills and their codicils, trusts created by wills, powers of attorney dealing with the financial affairs or personal care of an individual, or documents creating or transferring land interests when registration against third parties is required.