BILL NO. 72
(as introduced)
1st Session, 64th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
70 Elizabeth II, 2021
Private Member's Bill
Local Action on Anti-racism Support Act
Kendra Coombes
Cape Breton Centre–Whitney Pier
First Reading: October 29, 2021
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
An Act to Support Local Action on Anti-racism
1 This Act may be cited as the Local Action on Anti-racism Support Act.
2 In this Act, "Fund" means the Local Action on Anti-racism Fund established under Section 3.
3 (1) The Local Action on Anti-racism Fund is hereby established.
(2) The purpose of the Fund is to assist municipalities with projects to address anti-racism matters, including, in their sole discretion,
(a) hiring or supporting staff;
(3) Subject to Section 17, the Government shall include in its budget estimates for each fiscal year an amount to be transferred to the Fund sufficient to cover the estimated expenses of the Fund in that fiscal year.
(4) Subject to Section 17, the Governor in Council may from time to time transfer to the Fund and charge to the General Revenue Fund such money as is considered necessary for the purpose of this Act or if it is considered expedient so to do.
4 Criteria for eligibility for money from the Fund is as prescribed by the regulations.
5 (1) Subject to Section 17, the Province shall provide funding to establish a staff position dedicated to the function of assisting municipalities in accessing federal funding for anti-racism matters.
(2) The maximum amount of funding provided by the Province under subsection (1) in a fiscal year is $62,500.
6 The Province hereby commits itself to working in co-operation with municipalities to support their plans and actions to address anti-racism matters.
7 (1) The Minister may, by regulation, establish a code of conduct for municipal councillors in respect of anti-racism.
(2) The exercise by the Minister of the authority contained in subsection (1) is a regulation within the meaning of the Regulations Act.
8 (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations
(a) prescribing criteria for eligibility for money from the Fund;
(b) establishing a code of conduct for municipal councillors, including rules or guidelines to advance anti-racism.
(2) The exercise by the Governor in Council of the authority contained in subsection (1) is a regulation within the meaning of the Regulations Act.
9 Section 2 of Chapter 39 of the Acts of 2008, the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter, as amended by Chapter 19 of the Acts of 2019, is further amended by adding immediately after clause (a) the following clause:
- (aa) allow the Council to act in furtherance of the values set out in the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Human Rights Act;
10 Section 7A of Chapter 39, as enacted by Chapter 19 of the Acts of 2019, is amended by adding immediately after clause (a) the following clause:
- (aa) further the values set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms and the Human Rights Act;
11 Chapter 39 is further amended by adding immediately after Section 84 the following Section:
- 84A Furtherance of the values set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms and the Human Rights Act is deemed to be a municipal purpose for the purpose of this Act.
12 Subsection 188(1) of Chapter 39, as amended by Chapter 64 of the Acts of 2010 and Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2018, is further amended by adding immediately after clause (b) the following clause:
- (ba) the furtherance of the values set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights
and Freedoms and the Human Rights Act;
13 Section 2 of Chapter 18 of the Acts of 1998, the Municipal Government Act, as amended by Chapter 19 of the Acts of 2019, is further amended by adding immediately after clause (a) the following clause:
- (aa) allow councils to act in furtherance of the values set out in the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Human Rights Act;
14 Section 9A of Chapter 18, as enacted by Chapter 19 of the Acts of 2019, is amended by adding immediately after clause (a) the following clause:
- (aa) further the values set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms and the Human Rights Act;
15 Chapter 18 is further amended by adding immediately after Section 67 the following Section:
- 67A Furtherance of the values set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms and the Human Rights Act is deemed to be a municipal purpose for the purpose of this Act.
16 Subsection 172(1) of Chapter 18, as amended by Chapter 7 of the Acts of 2004 and Chapter 64 of the Acts of 2010, is further amended by adding immediately after clause (b) the following clause:
- (ba) the furtherance of the values set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights
and Freedoms and the Human Rights Act;
17 The money required for the purpose of this Act must be paid out of money 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 © 2021 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created October 29, 2021. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.
