Legislating a New Standard of Accountability

Nova Scotia's groundbreaking ministerial code of conduct will have the force of law thanks to new government legislation introduced today.

Premier John Hamm tabled amendments to the Members and Public Employees Disclosure Act to legally enshrine the ministerial code of conduct. When the code was introduced as government policy in November of 1999, Nova Scotia became only the third province in the country to have a public standard of conduct for cabinet ministers.

"Last fall, our government set a new standard for ministerial accountability and integrity by honouring a commitment we made to the people of Nova Scotia to bring in a code of conduct for cabinet ministers," said Premier Hamm. "Legislating the code will protect this new standard of accountability."

The code includes a $250 limit on gifts ministers may accept and an undertaking that ministers must protect the non-partisan nature of the public service. It also gives the province's Conflict of Interest Commissioner, Justice Merlin Nunn, additional authority to investigate questions of ministerial conduct referred by the House of Assembly or by cabinet.

"As I have often stated, the code of conduct reflects government's faith in being held publicly accountable for our actions," said the premier. "Taking legislative action further reinforces my government's commitment to being accountable."