News release

Spring Sitting Wraps Up With Balanced Budget, 31 Bills Passed

Premier's Office

NOTE: A complete list of legislation passed in the House of Assembly during the spring session follows this release.


Government passed a balanced budget for the seventh year in a row and invested more in the priorities of Nova Scotians such as reducing hospital wait times, funding for Avastin, help with heating costs for low income Nova Scotians, lowering taxes and improving home care for seniors during the spring sitting of the legislature.

During the session, which concluded today, May 27, 21 government bills and 10 private members' bills were passed.

"We have demonstrated our commitment to deliver good government for Nova Scotians, addressing the needs of students, working families and seniors," Premier Rodney MacDonald said.

"I am also pleased with the continued co-operation in a minority government that helped with the passage of the budget, the government's legislation as well as several opposition bills."

The 2008-09 budget builds on government's commitment to the provincial debt-management plan, offers a new Transit Tax Credit, adds to government's promise to help keep those in need warm in the winter months, invests millions to hire 70 additional police officers this year, includes a senior's property tax rebate, a $180-million commitment to freeze tuition fees that brings the cost of education for Nova Scotians to the national average by 2010, and commits more funds to help revitalize rinks and arenas around the province.

"In addition to passing another balanced budget, government has advanced a legislative agenda which strengthens Nova Scotia and builds on our five priorities: creating safer communities, investing in our infrastructure, protecting our environment, educating to compete and reducing wait times," said Premier MacDonald.

Some key legislation includes:

  • the Financial Measures Act which saves local governments $32 million, increases the tax benefits for film and digital media industries, offers tax breaks for ground search and rescue workers and extends government's Healthy Living Tax Credit to Nova Scotians of all ages.
  • new amendments to assist local governments include appointing a municipal auditor general to augment accountability, controlling tree-cutting before development and streamlining the appeal process for planning hearings.
  • the Personal Directives Act will help Nova Scotians give instructions and express their wishes about how personal care decisions are to be made in the event they become incapacitated. -- a bill was also passed to streamline technical safety and make the Land Registration Act easier to use to help government's aim to continue to find ways to reduce administrative burdens.
  • Motor Vehicle Act changes will support road safety programs and initiatives to make roads safer.

Several bills introduced in the spring awaiting further consultation include:

  • Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act
  • Tourist Accommodations Act
  • Halifax Regional Municipality Charter
  • Halifax Regional Municipality Act; and
  • Heritage Property Act.

"This was a productive session with 21 government bills and an $8-billion budget passed," Premier MacDonald said.

"Several bills are now awaiting further consultation over the summer. We will return in the fall with ideas on how those bills can be improved to assist the capital region and all Nova Scotians."

The premier also called for nominations for the new Nova Scotia Medal of Bravery, an initiative of a bill passed last year. The deadline for nominations is June 30.


The following is a complete list of government legislation passed in the House of Assembly this spring:
No. 79 Elections Act No. 107 Nova Scotia Agricultural College Act No. 117 Securities Act No. 120 Public Service Act (Environment) No. 123 Public Service Act (Seniors) No. 124 Justice Administration Amendment (2008) Act No. 125 Public Service Act (Labour & Workforce Development) No. 127 Health Professions Disciplinary Proceedings Protection (2008) Act No. 130 Emergency Health Services Act No. 131 North American Labour Co-operation Agreement Implementation Act No. 133 Land Surveyors Act No. 135 Municipal Elections Act No. 138 Municipal Government Act No. 144 Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation Act No. 146 Motor Vehicle Act No. 156 Land Registration Act No. 157 Financial Measures Act No. 163 Personal Directives Act No. 167 Technical Safety Act No. 176 Engineering Profession Act No. 178 Children and Family Services Act

The following government private members' bills were passed in the House of Assembly this spring:
No. 168 House of Assembly Act No. 177 Naturopathic Doctors Act No. 184 Provincial Soil Act

The following opposition private members' bills were passed in the House of Assembly this spring:
No. 3 Public Utilities Act No. 29 House of Assembly Act No. 100 Health Services and Insurance Act No. 121 Assessment Act No. 150 Motor Vehicle Act No. 162 Municipal Government Act
No. 170 Motor Vehicle Act