BILL NO. 183

(as introduced)

1st Session, 65th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
4 Charles III, 2025

 

Private Member's Public Bill

 

Mineral Resources Act
(amended)

 

Lisa Lachance
Halifax Citadel–Sable Island

First Reading: October 3, 2025

(Explanatory Note)

Second Reading:

Third Reading:

Explanatory Note

This Bill provides additional guidance respecting the purpose of the Mineral Resources Act.

An Act to Amend Chapter 3
of the Acts of 2016,
the Mineral Resources Act

Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:

1 Subsection 2(2) of Chapter 3 of the Acts of 2016, the Mineral Resources Act, is repealed and the following subsection substituted:

(2) In pursuing the purpose set out in subsection (1), the Province shall be guided by

(a) the commitments and obligations contained in the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act;

(b) the principles established by the Westray Mine Public Inquiry, ensuring that the health and safety of workers and the public are paramount in all aspects of mineral exploration and development; and

(c) the rights of Indigenous peoples as recognized in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including the requirement for meaningful consultation and free, prior and informed consent.

2 This Act has effect on and after January 1, 2026.

 

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