News release

Locations and Dates Announced for Consultations on Open Adoption Records

Community Services

NOTE: A list of community information sessions follows the release.

Community information sessions on adoption records will be held in November and December to ask Nova Scotians what they think about open adoption records.

Currently in Nova Scotia, a birth parent or an adult who was placed for adoption as a child can request the government search for the other party. If that person is found, they must consent to having their identifying information released to the other party.

“We want to give Nova Scotians a variety of opportunities to weigh in on this important topic. We appreciate the feedback we’ve already had through the online survey and we also encourage Nova Scotians to come to an in-person session to provide their thoughts on open adoption records,” said Kelly Regan, Minister of Community Services.

An online survey was launched on Nov. 13, to ask Nova Scotians what they think about open adoption records. The deadline for the online survey is Jan. 3. The in-person consultations are another way to participate in the discussion.

The community information sessions will be held in New Minas, Bridgewater, Yarmouth, Truro, Sydney, Eskasoni, Port Hawkesbury, Halifax, Millbrook and Dartmouth. French-language sessions are being held at Université Sainte-Anne campuses in Halifax, Church Point, Tusket, St. Joseph-du-Moine and Petit-de-Grat.

To see the online survey, details on the information sessions and how to provide feedback via mail or email go to, https://novascotia.ca/adoption-records-consultation/ .

Quick Facts:

  • open adoption records mean that identifying information about one of the parties to an adoption, either an adult adopted person or a birth parent, can be released to the other without consent, unless the birth parent or adult adopted person has filed a disclosure veto
  • a disclosure veto allows a birth parent or adoptee to register in advance so that identifying information about them cannot be released. A disclosure veto expires upon the person’s death
  • Nova Scotians who do not wish to share publicly at an in-person consultation may reach out to facilitators at their session to arrange to privately share their feedback

Additional Resources:

For more information about open adoption, please read a discussion paper at https://novascotia.ca/adoption-records-consultation/adoption-records-consultation-discussion-paper.pdf

Schedule for in-person community information sessions:

  • Village of New Minas Civic Centre, 9489 Commercial St., New Minas, Room 120, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

  • Lunenburg County Multi-Purpose Centre, 135 North Park St., Bridgewater, multi-purpose room, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

  • Yarmouth County Museum and Archives, 22 Collins St., Yarmouth, Thursday, Nov. 28, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

  • Université Sainte-Anne: Friday, Nov. 29, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. (Broadcast in French from the Halifax campus to all campuses)

  • Halifax Campus: 1900 Barrington St., Suite 100

  • Church Point: 1695, Route 1, Church Point, Room GB318

  • Tusket: 1 Slocomb Cres., Tusket

  • St. Joseph-du-Moine: 12521 Cabot Trail, Saint Joseph Du Moine

  • Petit-de-Grat: 3433 Route 206, Petit-de-Grat

  • NSCC Truro Campus, 36 Arthur St., Truro, Forrester Hall, Room 229, Monday, Dec. 2, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

  • Eskasoni Mi’kmaw Family and Children Services, 61 Mini Mall Dr., Eskasoni, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

  • NSCC Marconi Campus, 1240 Grand Lake Rd., Sydney, Room B-101B, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

  • Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre, 606 Reeves St., Port Hawkesbury, Room 1/3 Bear Head, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

  • Canada Games Centre, 26 Thomas Raddal Dr., Halifax, Boardroom, Saturday, Dec. 7, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

  • Millbrook Community Hall, 72 Church Rd., Truro, Monday, Dec. 9, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

  • HG Bauld Centre, 35 Wilfred Jackson Way, Dartmouth, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

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