Justice Administration Amendment Act Introduced
Legislation introduced today, April 24, under the Justice Administration Amendment Act (2008) will change or update provincial legislation. The housekeeping amendments were introduced by Justice Minister and Attorney General Cecil Clarke.
Amendments to the Summary Proceedings Act will give justices of the peace authority to set aside an automatic conviction for failure to appear on a summary offence matter. Previously, only provincial court judges had that authority, which led to court-processing delays.
Amendments to the Agriculture and Marketing Act and the Bee Industry Act will allow the Minister of Agriculture to delegate authority for issuing licences and permits to department staff. This will speed turn-around time for permits and licences and support the service standards commitment of government.
Changes to the Small Claims Court Act will clarify amendments made last year. Claims for general damages in small-claims court have been increased from $100 to $2,500. The amendments introduced today will ensure the increase is reflected throughout the Small Claims Court Act.
An amendment to the new provisions of the Companies Act will make two minor corrections to the act. One will fix a typographical error and the other will insert a word that was inadvertently omitted from a section of the act.
Changes to the Consumer Reporting Act will pave the way for Nova Scotians to have more choice to access their credit information.
Amendments to the Public Trustee Act will permit public trustees extended management power for estates under the Hospitals Act or the Adult Protection Act. The amendments will allow public trustee authority to extend beyond an individual's discharge from hospital or the ending of an Adult Protection Order. The amendments will also allow public trustees to delegate some duties to office staff.
Administrative changes to the Public Service Act will update the names or mandates of departments, repeal obsolete provisions and update the list of ministers in the Executive Council Act.