Legislation for International Adoptions

The Department of Community Services introduced legislation today to strengthen standards and regulations for international adoptions in Nova Scotia.

The legislation enables Nova Scotia to officially adopt The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect to inter-country Adoption, which ensures that international adoptions are conducted in the best interests of children.

"Nova Scotia is committed to providing the best for adoptive children, both here and around the world," Community Services Minister Francene Cosman. "This legislation is one example of our ongoing efforts to improve our adoption services."

The Hague Convention requires participating jurisdictions to ensure proper consents for adoption have been obtained and potential adoptive parents are eligible and suited to adopt.

It also defines a system of co-operation and information sharing between countries. One of the goals is to prevent illegal activities related to adoption, such as the abduction or sale of children.

Once passed, the legislation will mean that international adoptions follow the same procedures as domestic adoptions in Nova Scotia. A home study will be used to assess the suitability of adoptive parents, and every effort will be made to record medical and family information about the birth family.

To date, six other provinces and one territory have passed legislation to implement the Hague Convention. At least 33 countries have become signatories so far.