Passage of Bills to Help Accelerate HRM Development Highlight Productive Fall Sitting

NOTE: A complete list of legislation passed during this session of the legislature follows this release.

New legislation to spur development and growth in metro Halifax highlighted the sitting of the legislature that wrapped up today, Nov. 25. In all, 23 government bills were passed.

"A priority of government has been to promote economic growth across Nova Scotia. With the passage of the Halifax Charter and Halifax by Design bills, we are giving the province's largest region greater independence and the tools to adapt to the changing economic needs, pressures and opportunities by fostering development," Premier Rodney MacDonald said. "It is good news in our quest to continue to find opportunities to grow the economy in times of global uncertainty."

The premier also noted the importance of new measures that make it easier for people who trained for a profession or trade outside the province to work in their field in Nova Scotia, and require Nova Scotians to report suspected child pornography to help reduce the sexual exploitation of children.

"A number of significant issues have been dealt with during the fall sitting, from asking motorists to use their daytime running lights to prevent accidents, to legislation that will help strengthen our school boards," the premier said. "Once again, in the spirit of co-operation, a number of opposition bills have also been passed which will make a positive difference to the people of this province."

The premier also spoke of the economic update from the finance minister in a few weeks that will provide Nova Scotians with details about the province's economic situation. The premier has continued to meet with economic experts, provincial and federal counterparts, and business groups to discuss ways the province can effectively deal with the global crisis.

Other legislative changes include:

• The Conservation Property Tax Exemption Act, which offers landowners who opt to protect their land a tax exemption, hopefully encouraging more land protection.
• The Animal Protection Act, which introduces amendments to guard the welfare of animals in Nova Scotia.
• A change to the Motor Vehicle Act that will help reduce accidents by requiring drivers to use daytime running lights
• An education amendment that strengthens school boards by offering tools to maintain discipline, respect and decorum.
• Allowing deposit protection for citizens entering into construction agreements for new homes -- a first step in homeowner protection.
• Enhancing the ranks of the utility and review board.
• Prohibiting schools from charging fees for lunch-hour supervision starting in the fall.

The legislature acknowledged the wrap up of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of Nova Scotia's pioneering role in shaping democracy in Canada with the country's first representative government.

The House also passed private members' bills that recognize hockey as the provincial sport and acknowledge 2009 as the 100th anniversary of another Nova Scotia first -- the flight of the Silver Dart, which carried Canada into the Age of Flight.

The following is a complete list of government legislation passed in the House of Assembly this fall:

No. 179 Halifax Regional Municipality Charter
No. 181 Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM by Design)
No. 186 Animal Protection Act
No. 187 Child Pornography Reporting Act No. 190 Co-operative Associations Act
No. 191 Motor Vehicle Act
No. 193 Municipal Grants Act
No. 194 Partnership Act
No. 195 Partnerships and Business Names Registration Act
No. 196 Beneficiaries Designation Act
No. 199 Enforcement of Court Orders Act
No. 200 Human Rights Act
No. 201 Counselling Therapists Act No. 203 Hospitals Act
No. 204 Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre Expansion Act
No. 208 Conservation Property Tax Exemption Act
No. 210 Education Act
No. 211 Fair Registration Practices Act
No. 212 Homeowner Protection Act
No. 215 Education Act
No. 217 Utility and Review Board Act
No. 220 Judicature Act
No. 239 Democracy 250 Act

Private Members' Public Bills No. 189 William Davis Miners' Memorial Day Act
No. 207 Silver Dart 100th Anniversary Act
No. 225 Provincial Sport Act

Private and Local Bills
No. 213 East Hants Sportsplex Expansion Act No. 216 Crosbie Memorial Trust Fund Act

Opposition Private Members' Public Bills
No. 26 Environment Act
No. 78 Assessment Act
No. 93 Motor Vehicle Act
No. 118 Residential Tenancies Act
No. 129 Trade Union Act No. 154 Education Act
No. 158 Gaming Control Act
No. 233 Apology Act No. 234 Privacy Review Officer Act No. 227 Provincial Horse Act