News release

Amendments to Government Legislation

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister Jamie Muir introduced amendments to several pieces of legislation, today, Nov. 29.

"These amendments are the direct result of collaboration and discussions with municipalities and the legal, business, landlord and tenant communities," said Mr. Muir. "These changes will make it easier for businesses to do business in Nova Scotia while, at the same time, strengthening local government and enhancing Nova Scotian communities."

Changes will be made to:

  • Municipal Government Act. Halifax Regional Municipality will have the authority to allocate supplementary education funding where it believes it will make the most impact. The changes will also give municipalities the authority to assign more accurate civic addresses to parks and recreational areas to ensure first-responders have the accurate information they need when dispatched to protect and assist Nova Scotians.

  • Municipal Elections Act. Councils will have more flexibility to advertise elections, define and clarify processes involving school board elections and keep legislation current.

  • Rental Property Conversion Act. Information that must be filed by a landlord looking to convert his or her property to a condominium will be clarified. It will also stress that tenants will be able to remain in a unit for 12 months after the date of a proposed conversion.

  • Companies Act. About 30,000 hours of paperwork burden per year will be reduced by simplifying procedures for registering Nova Scotia n companies without losing protections for creditors and minority stakeholders. The amendment contributes to the province's goal of reducing the paperwork burden faced by businesses through the Better Regulation Initiative.