Safer Highways, Mental Health Legislation Part of Successful Session

Legislation passed this fall provides Nova Scotians with safer streets and highways, safer workplaces, smoke-free places and a voice for those with mental illness who cannot speak for themselves.

The House of Assembly concluded Thursday, Dec. 8, after passing 24 government bills, thanks to co-operative efforts from all parties.

"While there were serious, challenging issues facing Nova Scotia's minority legislature this sitting, co-operation was once again the key to ensuring positive new laws and balanced policy for Nova Scotians," said Premier John Hamm.

Under the new smoke-free places legislation, smoking will be banned in indoor public areas, workplaces, and at all outdoor eating and drinking establishments in Nova Scotia by Dec. 1, 2006.

After much input from experts, families, mental-health consumers and advocates, along with support from the opposition, the government passed the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act.

"This is a significant step forward in providing a voice for those in our society who do not have the ability to make their own treatment decisions," said Premier Hamm.

A central issue this session involved major changes to the Off-highway Vehicles Act. After significant public input, a compromise was reached on the issue of age and a renewed focus on safety and environmental protection.

Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, praised amendments to create an alcohol ignition interlock program and double speeding fines in school zones and temporary work areas.

"These will serve as tools to help fight against drinking and driving and help reduce accidents," said Mr. Russell. "The interlock system is proven technology and a valuable tool to deter drinking and driving for those convicted of impaired driving."

On the corrections side, electronic ankle monitors will soon be available to track people who are under house arrest in Nova Scotia. Changes will also allow the use of the monitors and satellite technology to track offenders. Drivers who steal gasoline or diesel fuel and people who fail to pay certain court fines will lose their driver's licences.

Additional legislation includes:

• a bill to establish a new, two-year, pre-primary school pilot program for four-year-olds -- a first for Atlantic Canada;
• amendments to set minimum qualifications for building inspection officials, stiffer penalties for building code violations, and to enable Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) to acquire vacant, boarded-up buildings if they have been boarded up longer than municipal bylaws allow;
• a bill which will lead to a more timely and efficient approval process for Nova Scotia fishermen requesting loans or loan guarantees for new boats; and
• amendments to the House of Assembly Act to cancel this year's commission of inquiry into remuneration for members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) and, instead, order a salary increase for members on par with Nova Scotia's civil service.

All parties in the House of Assembly paid special tribute to Premier Hamm last night, in what was his final sitting as premier.

Note: The following is a complete list of government legislation passed in the House of Assembly this fall:
Bill 203 -- Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act Bill 222 -- Tobacco Damages and Health-care Costs Recovery Act Bill 225 -- Smoke-free Places Act (amended) Bill 228 -- Social Workers Act (amended) Bill 230 -- Housing Development Corporation Act (amended) Bill 232 -- Optometry Act Bill 235 -- Dispensing Opticians Act Bill 236 -- Small Claims Court Act (amended) Bill 241 -- Commercial Mediation Act Bill 243 -- Emergency Measures Act (amended) and Public Service Act (amended) Bill 244 -- Enforcement of Canadian Judgments and Decrees Act Bill 246 -- International Trusts Act Bill 247 -- Correctional Services Act Bill 249 -- Enforcement of Court Orders Act Bill 250 -- An Act to Further Discourage Criminal Offences Involving the Use of a Motor Vehicle Bill 251 -- Public Service Act (amended) Bill 252 -- House of Assembly Act (amended) Bill 254 -- Motor Vehicle Act (amended) Bill 256 -- Municipal Government Act (amended) Bill 257 -- Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act (amended) Bill 258 -- Building Code Act (amended) Bill 260 -- An Act to Protect Public Safety Bill 268 -- Pre-primary Education Act Bill 275 -- Off-highway Vehicles Act (amended)

The following is a complete list of opposition, private members', and local legislation passed in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly this fall. Bill 219 -- Trade Union Act (amended) (NDP) Bill 237 -- Maintenance Enforcement Act (amended) (NDP) Bill 238 -- An Act to Change the Name of the Cape Breton Family Young Men's Christian Association and An Act Respecting Cape Breton Family Young Men's Christian Association Bill 239 -- An Act to Incorporate the Northern Yacht Club, (amended) Bill 255 -- Train Station Inn Cabooses Act (amended) Bill 267 -- Cape Breton Island Marketing Levy Act Bill 270 -- Professional Planners Act Bill 274 -- Certified Management Accountants of Nova Scotia Act