FAQs

1(a) Who is my MLA?

You can find out who your MLA is by using the Electoral District Finder on the Elections Nova Scotia website.

1(b) How do I contact my MLA?

Contact information, including mailing labels, are available at Contact an MLA.

2. When will the next legislative assembly session start / when will the current session end?

There is no set schedule for legislative sessions, however the House of Assembly Act requires that the House sits at least twice each year, in the spring and in the fall.  The exact start and end dates of a particular session are not known until announced by the Speaker of the House. The commencement of a new session must be announced at least thirty days in advance, according to the Rules and Forms of Procedure of the House of Assembly.

3. What are the building and tour hours?

Building access hours
Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

4. Can I do research at / borrow books from the Legislative Library?

The library is open to the general public from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.  Circulating materials may be borrowed directly by MLAs and their staff, press, and Nova Scotia government employees. The general public may request material on interlibrary loan through their local library.

5. How can I watch the legislative proceedings at Province House?

Visitors may watch proceedings from the legislative chamber galleries when the House is sitting, click here for contact information. Seating is generally by invitation only during special ceremonies. You can also watch live coverage online. All proceedings are available on channel 95 and channel 636 in HD for Eastlink Cable subscribers and channeld 230 in HD for Bell Cable subscribers.

6. I want to bring a petition to the House of Assembly. How do I go about it?

Petitions are presented in the House by MLAs. Anyone can submit a petition through their MLA.

7. How do I make a request for Province House to be illuminated?

Please send your illumination request in writing by email to the House of Assembly Operations Coordinator, Kyle Connolly, at kyle.connolly@novascotia.ca.

For more information please review the Illumination Policy.

8. How do I make a request for a flag to be flown on the courtesy pole?

Please send your flag request in writing by email to the House of Assembly Operations Coordinator,
Kyle Connolly, at kyle.connolly@novascotia.ca.

For more information, please review the Courtesy Pole Policy.

9. How can I book an event or meeting for Province House?

Please send the request in writing by email to the House of Assembly Operations Coordinator,
Kyle Connolly, at kyle.connolly@novascotia.ca.

For more information please review the In-House Events Policy.

A. What happens if a bill doesn’t go through the full legislative process before a session ends?

Any bill that does not pass third reading and receive Royal Assent before the end of a session has ‘died on the order paper.’  It will not progress or become law unless it is reintroduced in a new session and completes all of the legislative stages. 

B. How old is Province House?

Province House is the oldest legislative building in Canada. The cornerstone was laid on August 12, 1811, but construction was not completed for eight years.  The Legislature first met in Province House on February 11, 1819.

C. What is the difference between an MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) and an MP (Member of Parliament)?

Nova Scotia citizens are represented in the provincial House of Assembly by MLAs and in the federal Parliament by MPs.  Every Nova Scotian is represented by both a federal and a provincial elected official.  Nova Scotia has 55 provincial and 11 federal electoral districts.