Nova ScotiaProvisions around the training for bouncers, support for survivors of gender-based violence and new powers to deal with protesters blocking logging roads on Crown land are all included in omnibus legislation introduced at Province House on Tuesday.The bill also sets up process to create more oversight for bouncers at all barsMichael Gorman · CBC News · Posted: Sep 23, 2025 1:22 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoColton LeBlanc, the cabinet minister who introduced the bill, says he’s satisfied there will be plenty of time to debate all aspects of the omnibus bill, which covers eight different pieces of legislation. (Taryn Grant/CBC)Provisions around the training for bouncers, support for survivors of gender-based violence and new powers to deal with protesters blocking logging roads on Crown land might not seem to have much in common, but the Nova Scotia government is dealing with those issues and more in a piece of legislation introduced Tuesday at Province House.The Protecting Nova Scotians Act is omnibus legislation the government tabled on the first day MLAs returned to the legislature for the fall sitting. Colton LeBlanc, the cabinet minister who introduced the bill, said he saw no issue with the government’s decision to deal with the changes to eight different pieces of legislation in a single bill. “I believe they fit under the same title of protecting Nova Scotians,” he told reporters during a bill briefing.LeBlanc said he’s satisfied with the amount of time there will be to debate all aspects of the bill.”There’s different tools in the toolbox if it’s coming to legislation or if it’s accomplishing different parts of a government’s mandate and this here is one way to fulfil our government’s mandate and commitment to Nova Scotians.”Notable changes included in the bill include amendments to the Crown Lands Act that will make it illegal to “block, obstruct the use of or impede access to” forest access roads. It will also give officials the ability to remove structures without notice when they’re deemed to be a hazard to public health and safety or are harmful to the economic interests of the province.The rules now require 60 days’ notice before a structure can be removed. An official with the Natural Resources Department said the changes are being made out of concern for people who might be set up too close to logging equipment and also to expand the definition of what constitutes blocking a road.The proposed changes come as protesters in Cape Breton are blocking a logging operation by Port Hawkesbury Paper on Crown land, citing concerns about the cut’s impact on wildlife habitat and the health of the forest.Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will enable tenants who are survivors of gender-based violence to remain in their unit after their abuser leaves and enter into a lease for the same terms and conditions without the abuser’s name on the document.Survivors will also be able to apply to terminate their lease if they determine the circumstances no longer work for them after their abuser is gone.The government will also make amendments in the bill to the Liquor Control Act that will see regulatory changes related to criminal background checks and training requirements for bouncers at all establishments in the province with permanent liquor licences.Similar changes have already been made for the handful of bars with cabaret licences, but families of loved ones who died at the hands of bouncers have been calling on the province to make the changes for all bars and lounges.The omnibus legislation also includes a new Social Insurance Number Protection Act, which will prohibit the collection of SINs except in specific circumstances such as for the purposes of income tax reporting, the administration of certain programs and other instances set out in regulations.The proposed changes come on the heels of a massive data breach at Nova Scotia Power that saw the private information belonging to hundreds of thousands of customers stolen. That data included SINs, and Nova Scotia Power officials have yet to explain publicly why they were holding on to that information.LeBlanc said the changes are not retroactive, meaning the province will not have the power to compel the utility or any other entity improperly storing SINs to delete them.The government bill also makes changes to: The Wildlife Act regarding conservation officer authority and the maximum voltage for lights that can be shined in wildlife habitat. The Personal Health Information Act, which will allow custodians of personal health information to make disclosures if there is a reasonable belief of significant danger to themselves or others. The Cemetery and Funeral Services Act and the Embalmers and Funeral Directors Act, changes intended to strengthen laws to prevent wrongful cremations. ABOUT THE AUTHORMichael Gorman covers the Nova Scotia legislature for CBC, with additional focuses on health care and rural communities. Contact him with story ideas at michael.gorman@cbc.ca
Omnibus bill tackles Crown land protesters in N.S., supports domestic violence survivors
