BILL NO. 45

(as introduced)

3rd Session, 62nd General Assembly
Nova Scotia
65 Elizabeth II, 2016

Private Member's Bill

Municipal Government Act
(amended)

Karla MacFarlane
Pictou West

First Reading: October 25, 2016

(Explanatory Note)

Second Reading:

Third Reading:

This Bill

(a) removes a municipal council's authority to make part of an elected official's salary or remuneration an expense allowance;

(b) removes the council's authority to reimburse a council member's expense where the council has not adopted a policy regarding the expense; and

(c) requires a council to make policies respecting allowable expenses that may be claimed by and reimbursed to elected officials and prohibits the cost of alcoholic beverages as an allowable expense.

Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:

1 (1) Subclause 23(1)(d)(iv) of Chapter 18 of the Acts of 1998, the Municipal Government Act, is repealed.

(2) Subsection 23(3) of Chapter 18 is repealed and the following subsections substituted:

(3) The council shall make policies respecting allowable expenses, including the type and maximum amount for each expense, council members may claim for reimbursement while discharging the duties of elected office.

(4) Allowable expense rates for meals set out in policies made pursuant to subsection (3) must align whenever possible with the rates payable to elected members of the Legislature pursuant to the House of Assembly Management Commission Regulations.

(5) All allowable expenses claimed by council members must be supported by proof of payment.

(6) The cost of alcoholic beverages is not an allowable expense for the purpose of subsection (3) and must not be claimed by or reimbursed to a council member.