Updated November 2008

NOVA SCOTIA PROGRESS OF BILLS, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES CHART

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Law/Detail

Summary

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Click on FEDERAL PROGRESS OF BILLS, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES CHART to view the federal government's Bills, Regulations and Policies in progress.

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The House resumed sitting on October 30, 2008 and adjourned on November 25, 2008.

1. Progress of Government and Private Members' Bills (new and amended legislation).

Health and Safety: Bill No. 18 An Act to Amend Chapter 7 of the Acts of 1996, the Occupational Health and Safety Act

This Private Member's Bill is to amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act to require safety procedures for employees who work alone or in isolation and additional protections for such employees who work in late-night retail premises such as gasoline stations or convenience stores. Link to Bill 18. First Reading November 26, 2007.

Labour Standards: Bill No. 5 An Act to Amend Chapter 402 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Retail Business Uniform Closing Day Act

This Private Member's Bill requires retail establishments now permitted to be open on Sunday to be closed on holidays. The Nova Scotia government is supporting a Liberal bill to force large stores to close at least seven more days a year. The plan is to have the law in force in time to give retail employees at least three days off this holiday season, including Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Link to Bill 5. First Reading November 23, 2007.

Bill 33, Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation (Nova Scotia) Act (amended)

This Bill re-introduced legislation on November 28, 2007 that supports efforts to ensure that Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, the federal government have the same offshore job-safety rules. If enacted the Bill comes into force on proclamation. Link to Bill 33.

Bill 126, The Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act

Legislation that would help newcomers navigate the certification and registration process and find a job in their chosen profession was introduced in the legislature on April 24. Link to Bill 126. This Act comes into force on such day as the Governor in Council orders and declares by proclamation. In Second Reading debate. NOT PROCEEDED WITH.

Bill No. 211 An Act to Ensure Fair Registration Practices by Regulating Bodies

This Bill makes it easier for people who trained for a profession or trade outside of Nova Scotia to work in their field in the province. Link to Bill 211. First reading November 6, 2008. Received second reading on November 17, 2008 and sent to committee for review. Received Third Reading on November 20, 2008.

Bill No. 200 - Human Rights Act (amended)

This Bill corrects a grammatical error in the Human Rights Act. It also corrects names for a position and for a division in the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. Status: passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House. Received second reading on November 14, 2008 and is in third reading debate. Received third reading on November 18, 2008.

Bill No. 223 Workers' Compensation Act (amended)

This private member's Bill amends the Workers' Compensation Act to authorize the Minister of Labour and Workforce Development to exempt the workers in a fishing business from the Act if the workers are covered by private disability insurance. Passed first reading and is awaiting debate in principle by the House.

2. Progress of New and Amended Regulations.

3. Progress of New and Amended Policies

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Click on FEDERAL PROGRESS OF BILLS, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES CHART to view the federal government's enacted Bills, Regulations and Policies.

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Human Rights and Labour Standards:Bill No. 163 An Act Respecting the Elimination of Mandatory Retirement

This Bill will ban mandatory retirement for most jobs by removing exceptions from the Act relating to retirement plans and plans, schemes or practices of mandatory retirement. Link to Bill 163, First Reading March 29, 2007. The Bill received second reading on April 3, 2007. Was sent to the Law Amendments Committee for review and possible amendments on April 10, 2007. The Committee of the Whole reviewed the Bill on April 11, 2007 and the Bill received Third Reading April 12, 2007. The Bill received Royal Assent on April 13, 2007. Nova Scotia employers have been given an extra year to prepare for legislation eliminating mandatory retirement for most workers. When enacted the Bill will take effect July 1, 2009.

Bill 67, Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act (amended)

The Bill expands the definition of a trade to include a sub-trade. Adds authority for the Director of Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications to issue a certificate of proficiency to a person who is unable to pass a written exam, but who, through practical skills, has demonstrated that they meet the requirements and standards of the trade. adds authority for the Governor in Council to make regulations respecting trades and respecting the issuance of post-journey person certificate endorsements. The Bill received First Reading on November 1, 2006 and the Act comes into force on proclamation. Link to Bill 67. The Bill received second reading on November 9, 2006 and sent to the Law Amendments Committee on November 14, 2006. Sent to Committee of the Whole House on November 20, 2006. The Bill received third reading and Royal Assent on November 23, 2006. It is now awaiting a date to come into force.

Bill No. 157, Financial Measures Act

The Financial Measures Act, supporting a number of measures in the 2008-09 provincial budget, was introduced and received first reading on May 5, 2008. Link to Bill 157. Is now in second reading debate. Received Second Reading May 13, 2008. Sent to Law Amendments Committee for review on May 14, 2008. The Bill received Third Reading on May 15, 2008 and Received Royal Assent on May 27, 2008. Various sections of the Bill come into force at different dates.

Bill 125, An Act to Amend Chapter 376 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Public Service Act, Respecting Labour and Workforce Development

A bill formally creating the Department of Labour and Workforce Development was introduced in the legislature today, April 24. The Bill is intended to provide professionals from other jurisdictions with a clearer, better-defined process. Link to Bill 125. This Bill received Second Reading on April 29, 2008 and sent to committee Law Amendments on May 8, 2008. Committee report and Third Reading received on May 26, 2008. Received Royal Assent on May 27 and is awaiting proclamation to come into force.