New Integrity Rules for Elected Officials

Summary#

• This bill sets clear conflict-of-interest and integrity rules for Nova Scotia’s elected members, ministers, ministerial assistants, and public employees.

• It creates or continues an independent Integrity Commissioner to advise, investigate, and enforce the rules. It also requires more public disclosure to build trust.

• Key changes and impacts:

  • Requires MLAs to file financial disclosure when first elected and every year after, with updates when things change.
  • Puts strict limits on gifts, paid travel, and use of insider information.
  • Requires members to step back (recuse) from decisions where they or their family have a private interest.
  • Sets extra limits on ministers’ outside business interests and investments.
  • Imposes “cooling‑off” periods after leaving office before seeking or influencing government contracts.
  • Gives the Commissioner power to investigate complaints, issue fines, and refer serious cases to court.
  • Protects people who report possible breaches in good faith (whistleblowers).

What it means for you#

• Voters and residents

  • Financial disclosures from MLAs will be posted online so you can see sources of income, some investments, debts over a set amount, and reportable gifts. Home addresses, phone numbers, and family details are kept private.
  • The Commissioner must publish annual and special reports about complaints, findings, and trends.
  • If a member fails to disclose as required, their name will appear in the annual report.

• MLAs (members of the House of Assembly)

  • Must file a disclosure within 30 days of being elected and every year by June 30, plus updates within 90 days of major changes. Separate disclosures are required for a spouse and dependent children.
  • Must not take part in a decision if you or your family could benefit privately. You must state the general nature of the conflict, leave the meeting, not vote, and not try to influence the matter. A public record will be made.
  • Cannot accept gifts or benefits worth more than $250 in total from the same source in a year. Small protocol gifts tied to your role are allowed, but gifts over $250 must be reported and may be restricted by the Commissioner.
  • Must get prior approval to use non‑commercial private or charter flights for work and file a public travel report within 30 days.
  • Cannot use inside information or your position to help yourself, your family, or others improperly.
  • Cannot use tickets to events that government got through sponsorships, unless you are on the formal program in your official role.

• Ministers and ministerial assistants

  • Must meet early with the Commissioner to review obligations.
  • Must avoid even the appearance of conflict between public duties and private interests.
  • Ministers generally cannot hold outside jobs, manage a business, sit on boards (unless part of their duties), run a private business, or trade individual stocks, futures, or commodities. Mutual funds are allowed, and the Commissioner can approve other arrangements (like a blind trust) if there is no conflict.
  • If a conflict is known or could be seen as a conflict, another minister must be assigned to handle the matter.

• Public employees

  • Must not use non‑public information or participate in decisions that could further a private interest. If such a matter comes up in a meeting, you must state the general benefit, leave, and not influence the decision. A record will be kept.

• Former officials (after leaving government)

  • For 12 months after leaving, former ministers and ministerial assistants cannot:
    • Accept or lobby for government‑awarded contracts or benefits, or be paid to make representations about them.
  • For six months after leaving, former MLAs and public employees face the same limits.
  • The Commissioner can grant exemptions if terms are fair and not against the public interest. Breaking these rules can lead to fines up to $50,000.

• Businesses and organizations seeking government contracts

  • Government cannot award or approve contracts or benefits to former officials during their cooling‑off periods, or to people on whose behalf they made representations during that time, unless standard, open terms apply to everyone.

• Whistleblowers and the public

  • Anyone can request an investigation if they have reasonable grounds. Frivolous or bad‑faith complaints can be dismissed, and the complainant may have to pay costs.
  • People who report concerns in good faith are protected from lawsuits and reprisals. Cabinet (Executive Council) confidences can be shared confidentially with the Commissioner under strict limits.

Expenses#

• No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• The rules reduce real and perceived conflicts, building public trust in government.
• Public, online disclosures make it easier for citizens and media to hold officials accountable.
• Strong recusal rules, gift limits, and a cooling‑off period curb undue influence and the “revolving door.”
• An independent Commissioner with power to investigate, fine, and go to court gives the law real teeth.
• Whistleblower protections help surface problems early and safely.
• Clear guidance and education from the Commissioner help honest officials follow the rules.

Opponents' View#

• Publishing detailed financial information may invade privacy and deter qualified people from serving.
• The $250 gift cap and strict travel and ticket rules may be hard to manage in practice and could hinder normal protocol.
• Limits on ministers’ outside work and investments may be too restrictive, especially for professionals and small business owners.
• Cooling‑off periods can make it harder for former officials to find work and for government to access expertise.
• Broad investigative powers and fines could chill routine interactions with government or create more red tape.