Amendments to Consumer Reporting Act

The province is improving its debt-collection process.

Amendments to be introduced today, Nov. 15, to the Consumer Reporting Act will ensure the province gets timely access to Social Insurance Numbers to improve the debt-collection process.

"Nova Scotians expect those who owe money to the province to be held accountable," said Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister, Ramona Jennex. "These changes will allow us to collect outstanding debts more efficiently."

This information will allow the province to accurately identify and contact people who fail to pay provincial debts, such as fines.

Consumer reporting agencies, such as Equifax and Transunion, use to provide this information voluntarily. These changes will clarify their requirement to do so.

The province is allowed to possess and use personal information for debt collection. Any personal information collected is protected under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.