BILL NO. 139
(as introduced)
1st Session, 60th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
56 Elizabeth II, 2007
Atlantic Gateway Secretariat Act
Darrell Dexter
Cole Harbour
First Reading: March 20, 2007
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
An Act Respecting a Secretariat to
Promote Nova Scotia as the Atlantic Gateway
Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:
1 This Act may be cited as the Atlantic Gateway Secretariat Act.
2 In this Act, "Secretariat" means the Atlantic Gateway Secretariat.
3 The Atlantic Gateway Secretariat is hereby established.
4 (1) The Secretariat consists of(a) the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Economic Development;
(b) the Deputy Minister of Energy;
(c) the Deputy Minister of Finance;
(d) the Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs;
(e) the Deputy Minister of Transportation and Public Works;
(f) the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage;
(g) persons appointed after consultation with the governments of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island; and
(h) such other persons as may be designated from time to time by the Governor in Council.
(2) The Governor in Council shall designate one of the members of the Secretariat to be Chair of the Secretariat.
(3) The Chair and each member of the Secretariat shall be paid such travelling and living expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties as are determined by the Governor in Council.
5 The objects and purposes of the Secretariat are to(a) support, lead and co-ordinate provincial advocacy for the establishment of Canada's Atlantic Gateway in the Province;
(b) secure funding from the government of Canada for the Atlantic Gateway;
(c) develop an Atlantic Gateway Strategic Plan; and
(d) work in partnership with and consult community, labour and business stakeholders including the Atlantic Gateway Council.
6 The appointment to the Secretariat of a member of the House of Assembly, including a member of the Executive Council, does not render such member of the Assembly or of the Executive Council ineligible or disqualified from sitting or voting in the Assembly by reason of being a member of the Secretariat and receiving remuneration or travelling or living expenses in respect to duties pertaining to the Secretariat or by reason of any dealings by the Secretariat with the Province.
7 (1) The Governor in Council may appoint a person to be Chief Executive Officer of the Secretariat pursuant to the Civil Service Act and the Government's Fair Hiring Policy.
(2) Subject to Section 12, the Chief Executive Officer of the Secretariat shall be paid such remuneration as is determined by the Governor in Council.
(3) The Chief Executive Officer shall perform such functions and duties as are assigned to the Chief Executive Officer by the Secretariat or the Governor in Council.
8 Subject to Section 12, any staff required for the purposes of the Secretariat may be appointed pursuant to the provisions of the Civil Service Act and that Act shall apply to the staff of the Secretariat.
9 The Secretariat may establish such committees as it considers proper for the carrying out of its object and purpose and may delegate to such committees any of its powers, duties and functions.
10 (1) The Secretariat shall report from time to time to the Governor in Council and shall make an annual report to the Governor in Council on the activities of the Secretariat for each year.
(2) Where the Secretariat reviews, considers or inquires into any matter at the request or with the approval of the Governor in Council, the Secretariat shall make a report to the Governor in Council with respect to that matter at the conclusion of its deliberations.
(3) The Minister of Economic Development shall table any report made to the Governor in Council pursuant to this Section in the House of Assembly within fifteen days of it being received by the Governor in Council if the House is sitting and, if the House is not sitting, the Minister shall file the report with the Chief Clerk of the House.
11 (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations(a) respecting the powers, duties and functions of the Secretariat;
(b) designating persons as members of the Secretariat for the purpose of clause 4(1)(h);
(c) respecting the conduct of the business and affairs of the Secretariat;
(d) defining any word or expression used in this Act but not defined herein;
(e) respecting any matter or thing necessary or advisable for carrying out effectively the objects and purposes of this Act.
(2) The exercise of the authority contained in subsection (1) is regulations within the meaning of the Regulations Act.
12 The moneys required for the purpose of this Act shall be paid out of moneys appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature.
This page and its contents published by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and © 2007 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created March 20, 2007. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.
