Article content“The issue is we have these massive power rate adjustments because of the underlying source of fuel that they’re using. But look across the country. Look across North America. Nine and 10 per cent (power rate hikes are) low in some areas, where you see 20 to 25 per cent power rates. We want to protect Nova Scotians and want to do things that are possible and sustainable.”Article contentThe Liberals announced on Monday that they would introduce legislation to limit Nova Scotia Power’s profits and hold the utility accountable for reliability and cybersecurity failures.Article content Interim Liberal Leader Derek Mombourquette speaks to reporters at Province House on Tuesday. – GLENN MacDONALDArticle contentA Liberal news release said the Electric Utility Reliability Standards Act would make Nova Scotia Power and other utilities meet clear, enforceable reliability standards.Article content“We’re coming forward in this session of legislature with a number of bills around the accountability of Nova Scotia Power,” Mombourquette told reporters on Tuesday.Article contentArticle content“There’s a number of steps that the government can be taking when it comes to Nova Scotia Power. A systemic kind of review of the ownership of what Nova Scotia Power has in regards to power generation.”Article contentThe NDP also tabled a bill focused on protecting consumer information. It comes on the heels of a cybersecurity attack on Nova Scotia Power earlier this year in which personal and financial information of NSP ratepayers, including the social insurance numbers of 140,000 customers, was stolen by hackers.Article content“What we have right now is a legislative gap,” Chender said. “We still don’t have an answer as to why Nova Scotia Power had everyone’s social insurance numbers for years and sometimes decades. They were inexplicably kept for no reason and subsequently stolen.Article content“Our privacy bill will allow credit freezes, modernize rules around the storing data and allow people to recover their money if they’re harmed financially when their data is stolen. It’s something they can’t do now. We’re taking action to make sure corporations aren’t keeping your private information for no reason, and we’re giving people more protection under the law if their data is stolen.”Article contentArticle contentThe Houston government introduced new legislation on Tuesday that will restrict private companies from collecting and retaining social insurance numbers.Article contentPrivate companies, under the new law, will be prohibited from collecting SINs unless authorized by the new regulation.Article content“Recent events have proven that the province needs to step in to provide Nova Scotians with the protection they need,” said Colton LeBlanc, the acting Minister of Service Nova Scotia.Article content“It is a reminder of the risk that comes with living in the 21st century and the digital age.”Article contentThe new bill was grouped with seven other legislative amendments introduced Tuesday in an omnibus bill called the Protecting Nova Scotians Act.Article contentNotable changes included in the bill are amendments to the Liquor Control Act, requiring bouncers to have criminal record checks and security training, and to the Crown Lands Act, which will make it illegal to block forest access roads and allow officials to remove structures without notice if they are a hazard to public health and safety.Article content
Opposition takes aim at Nova Scotia Power as N.S. legislature reconvenes for fall session
