Justice Administration Bill Introduced

The province is updating legislation and making a number of board appointments better and easier with a justice administration bill introduced today, May 4.

Justice Minister Ross Landry tabled the legislation, which proposes minor changes to five bills.

"These changes will support better service for Nova Scotians by clarifying and updating legislation, and ensuring appointments to various boards are simple and transparent," said Mr. Landry.

The proposed legislation will simplify appointments to the Film Classification Board and Arts Nova Scotia. It will also allow substitutions on the House of Assembly Management Commission, and will allow those members to also serve on the Public Accounts Committee.

The legislation will add two new members to the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation board of directors, at the corporation's request.

"This change will allow a broader range of skills and experience to be represented on our board, improving oversight and our ability to perform committee duties in areas such as audit, governance and corporate social responsibility more effectively," said Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation board chair Sherry Porter. "It will also allow for improved diversity to let the board better represent all Nova Scotians served by the NSLC."

Changes to the Liquor Control Act will require the appointment of a vice-chair from among the members of the Board of Directors to serve as chair in the event the chair is absent or incapacitated.

The bill will also clarify and correct references in the Summary Proceedings Act about speeding conviction suspensions and orders prohibiting access to information for warrants.