BILL NO. 251
(as introduced)
1st Session, 65th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
4 Charles III, 2026
Private Member's Public Bill
Budget Attendance Act
Lisa Lachance
Halifax Citadel–Sable Island
First Reading: April 7, 2026
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
Explanatory Note
This Bill prevents votes from being taken at second or third reading on enactments respecting appropriations or certain financial measures unless the Premier and the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board are present.
An Act to Amend Chapter 1
(1992 Supplement)
of the Revised Statutes, 1989,
the House of Assembly Act,
Respecting Attendance for Certain Votes
Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:
1 This Act may be cited as the Budget Attendance Act.
2 Chapter 1 (1992 Supplement) of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the House of Assembly Act, is amended by adding immediately after Section 8 the following Section:
- 8A (1) In this Section, “financial measures” means enactments that impose or reduce tax payable to the Province or change how such tax is calculated, but does not include enactments that only impose fines or charge fees for services.
(2) No vote may be taken at second or third reading on a bill respecting appropriations of money or a bill respecting financial measures unless the Premier and the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board are present.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply where the Premier or the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board has notified the members holding the recognized positions of Leader of the Opposition or leader of a recognized party that an exceptional circumstance would prevent the Premier or the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board from being present and the Leader of the Opposition and all leaders of recognized parties have informed the Speaker that they do not object to such absence.
This page and its contents published by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and © 2026 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created April 7, 2026. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.
