BILL NO. 8

(as introduced)

2nd Session, 59th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
55 Elizabeth II, 2006

Private Member's Bill

Africville Act

Maureen MacDonald
Halifax Needham

First Reading: May 5, 2006

Second Reading:

Third Reading:

An Act to Address the Historic Injustice
Committed Against the People of Africville

Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:

1 This Act may be cited as the Africville Act.

2 In this Act,

(a) "Africville" means the area of land situate on and around Seaview Park expropriated by the City of Halifax in 1970;

(b) "development trust" means monies provided or placed in trust by the Government of the Province to be used by former residents of Africville and their descendants;

(c) "Minister" means the Minister of African Nova Scotia Affairs.

3 The Government of the Province shall issue a public apology to former residents of Africville and their descendants for the destruction of Africville.

4 (1) Within eight months of the coming into force of this Act, the Minister shall hold public hearings with former residents of Africville, their designates and their descendants concerning the destruction of Africville, and make a report to the House of Assembly concerning these hearings.

(2) The Minister shall table the report in the House of Assembly if it is then sitting or, if it is not then sitting, file it with the Clerk of the House.

5 Subject to Section 6, within twelve months of the coming into force of this Act, the Minister shall establish a development trust to be used for

(a) historical restoration, interpretation and preservation of Africville lands;

(b) social development to benefit former residents of Africville and their descendants; and

(c) development of infrastructure that benefits former residents of Africville and their descendants and achieves the objectives set out in clauses (a) and (b).

6 The moneys required for the purpose of this Act shall be paid out of moneys appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature.