• Child safety advocate says N.S. changes to car seat rules makes province ‘leader’ in country

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-07 18:27:25.0
  Tags: [Nova Scotia, Transportation, Public Safety, Justice, Governance]

  The Government of Nova Scotia has released the first set of regulations under its new Traffic Safety Act, replacing the 1920s-era Motor Vehicle Act, effective October 19. The updated rules establish Canada's first age-based minimums for children's car seats, requiring children to remain in rear-facing car seats until at least age two and harnessed car seats until age four. Additionally, the regulatory framework modernizes distracted driving rules, creates inclusive cyclist rules, and establishes clearer guidelines for emerging vehicle types such as electric scooters.

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• Lawyer says new bill could cause ramped up surveillance of vulnerable Nova Scotians

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-09-14 19:16:15.0
  Tags: [Nova Scotia, Justice, Public Safety, Governance]

  The Nova Scotia provincial government is facing criticism from Dalhousie Legal Aid over proposed amendments to the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act introduced in an omnibus bill. The legislative changes would permit individuals who do not live in a specific area to submit anonymous property complaints regarding suspected criminal activity, while also expanding the act's scope to encompass organized crime and human trafficking. Legal aid lawyer Nadia Shivji warned that the changes could increase surveillance and be weaponized against vulnerable populations, including Black, Indigenous, and immigrant communities. Justice Minister Scott Armstrong defended the proposed legislation, stating it is necessary to assist police in tackling higher-level crime and expressing his belief that it will not disproportionately affect marginalized people.

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• Committee releases final report into 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-08-31 20:13:52.0
  Tags: [Nova Scotia, National, Public Safety, Justice, Governance]

  The Progress Monitoring Committee released its third and final annual report monitoring the 130 recommendations stemming from the 2023 public inquiry into the April 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting. Chaired by Myra Freeman, the independent committee noted that approximately 40 recommendations remain to be fully addressed, with ongoing responsibility now transitioning to the governments of Nova Scotia and Canada, alongside the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The 72-page final report highlights progress in regulatory oversight, policing reforms, and gender-based violence prevention, while acknowledging that critical work remains regarding mental health supports and systemic cultural shifts.

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