BILL NO. 148

(as introduced)

2nd Session, 63rd General Assembly
Nova Scotia
68 Elizabeth II, 2019

 

Private Member's Bill

 

Opportunities for Participation in the Democratic Process
by Acadians and African Nova Scotians Act

 

Lisa Roberts
Halifax Needham

First Reading: April 11, 2019

Second Reading:

Third Reading:

 

An Act to Support Opportunities
for Participation in the Democratic Process
by Acadians and African Nova Scotians

WHEREAS the report of the Commission on Effective Electoral Representation of Acadians and African Nova Scotians was issued in January, 2018;

AND WHEREAS the Commission made certain recommendations to support opportunities for participation in the democratic process by Acadians and African Nova Scotians;

THEREFORE, be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:

1 This Act may be cited as the Opportunities for Participation in the Democratic Process by Acadians and African Nova Scotians Act.

2 The Government shall

(a) in consultation with the Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse, create an advisory council for Acadian Affairs and Francophonie; and

(b) in consultation with African Nova Scotian organizations, create an advisory council for African Nova Scotian Affairs.

3 The Finance and Treasury Board shall review the budgets for Acadian Affairs and Francophonie and African Nova Scotian Affairs to consider whether they have the resources and structure necessary to achieve their mandates.

4 The Executive Council Office shall work with departments of Government to identify and address any barriers that may discourage Acadians or African Nova Scotians from applying to join agencies, boards or commissions of the Government or prejudice the evaluation of such applications.

5 The Department of Municipal Affairs and Service Nova Scotia shall work in collaboration with every municipality in which there is a significant Acadian population to implement a policy of bilingualism, to fund and implement municipal services in French and to establish community committees for Acadians.

6 The Department of Municipal Affairs and Service Nova Scotia shall work in collaboration with every municipality in which there is a significant African Nova Scotian population to establish community committees for African Nova Scotians.

7 (1) Elections Nova Scotia, in collaboration with the Elections Commission, shall undertake initiatives to encourage recognized political parties to nominate Acadian and African Nova Scotian candidates and candidates from under-represented groups.

(2) Elections Nova Scotia shall develop and implement culturally-appropriate training for candidates from under-represented groups and may work with any appropriate department or agency of Government in developing and implementing the training.

 

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