BILL NO. 462
(as introduced)
1st Session, 64th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
2 Charles III, 2024
Private Member's Bill
Border Community Equity Act
Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin
Cumberland North
First Reading: September 5, 2024
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
An Act Respecting
Border Community Equity
1 This Act may be cited as the Border Community Equity Act.
2 The purpose of this Act is to promote equity for all areas of the Province by ensuring that the interests of communities in the border region are appropriately considered in Government decision-making.
"border region" means Cumberland County;
"program" means any enactment, initiative or program by the Government that has Province-wide application.
4 (1) The Government and any involved department thereof shall, before introducing or implementing a program, conduct a border community impact assessment.
(2) An assessment under subsection (1) must, with respect to the program,
(a) thoroughly assess the impact on communities and residents in the border region; and
(b) be conducted with a view to
- (i) ensuring equitable and positive outcomes for communities and residents in the border region,
(ii) decreasing or removing interprovincial barriers, and
(iii) rectifying systemic inequities historically experienced by the border region.
5 (1) Subject to Section 6, the Government shall develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to rectify systemic inequities historically experienced by the border region.
(2) The strategy under subsection (1) must include
(a) specific measures aimed at improving social, economic and infrastructural conditions in the border region;
(b) targeted investments for public services, economic development and infrastructure in the border region;
(c) policies designed to enhance opportunities for residents and businesses in the border region;
(d) policies designed to ensure that healthcare services comply with and uphold the Canada Health Act principle of portability;
(e) policies designed to ensure that interprovincial mobility rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms are upheld; and
(f) regular monitoring of and public reporting on progress made toward achieving equitable outcomes for the border region.
6 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 © 2024 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created September 5, 2024. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.
