Order of Nova Scotia Act

WHEREAS Nova Scotians have distinguished themselves in the arts, academics, research, agriculture, business, industry, community leadership, public service, volunteer service and other fields of endeavour and thereby brought honour and prestige to themselves and to Nova Scotia;

AND WHEREAS it is fitting that the Government of Nova Scotia encourage excellence by recognizing Nova Scotians who have made outstanding contributions or achievements:

Short title

1 This Act may be cited as the Order of Nova Scotia Act. 2001, c. 9, s. 1.

Interpretation

2 In this Act,

(a) "Advisory Council" means the Order of Nova Scotia Advisory Council;

(b) "Chancellor" means the Chancellor of the Order;

(c) "Order" means the Order of Nova Scotia;

(d) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Order. 2001, c. 9, s. 2.

Supervision and management of Act

3 The Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs has the general supervision and management of this Act. 2001, c. 9, s. 3; 2025, c. 15, s. 13.

Establishment of Order

4 The Order of Nova Scotia is hereby established. 2001, c. 9, s. 4.

Object of Order

5 The object of the Order is to honour individual Nova Scotians who have distinguished themselves by an outstanding contribution to the cultural life or to the social or economic well-being of the Province, by an outstanding achievement or by excelling in any field of endeavour to the benefit of the people of the Province or elsewhere. 2001, c. 9, s. 5.

Chancellor

6 The Lieutenant Governor is the Chancellor of the Order. 2001, c. 9, s. 6.

Composition of Order

7 The Order consists of the Chancellor and the individuals who become members of the Order pursuant to this Act. 2001, c. 9, s. 7.

Advisory Council

8 (1) There shall be an Order of Nova Scotia Advisory Council consisting of

(a) a Chair, appointed by the President of the Executive Council;

(b) the Chief Justice of Nova Scotia or a judge of the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia designated by the Chief Justice of Nova Scotia;

(c) the Clerk of the Executive Council;

(d) the president of a university in the Province, appointed by the President of the Executive Council;

(e) one member of the Order, appointed by the President of the Executive Council;

(f) one other person appointed by the President of the Executive Council;

(g) one person appointed by the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Assembly; and

(h) one person appointed by each leader of a recognized party in the House of Assembly, other than the leaders referred to in clauses (f) and (g).

(2) Every member of the Advisory Council must be a resident of the Province.

(3) Subject to the regulations,

(a) a person appointed pursuant to clause (1)(a), (f), (g) or (h) holds office for a term of three years and may be re-appointed once; and

(b) a person appointed pursuant to clause (1)(d) or (e) holds office for a term of three years and may not be re-appointed to succeed himself or herself.

(4) Where there is no person eligible or willing to be appointed pursuant to clause (1)(e), an additional person may be appointed pursuant to clause (1)(f). 2001, c. 9, s. 8.

Effect of vacancy

9 A vacancy on the Advisory Council does not impair the right of the remaining members to act. 2001, c. 9, s. 9.

Entitlement to expenses

10 The Chair and other members of the Advisory Council are not entitled to any remuneration but shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties. 2001, c. 9, s. 10.

Duties of Advisory Council

11 The Advisory Council shall

(a) meet at least annually;

(b) consider nominations for membership in the Order;

(c) submit to the President of the Executive Council lists of nominees who, in the opinion of the Advisory Council, are worthy of membership in the Order; and

(d) advise the President of the Executive Council on any other matter respecting the Order that the President of the Executive Council may refer to the Advisory Council. 2001, c. 9, s. 11.

Procedures

12 The Advisory Council may determine the procedures for the conduct of its business. 2001, c. 9, s. 12.

Secretary of Order

13 (1) A Secretary of the Order shall be appointed in accordance with the regulations.

(2) The powers and duties of the Secretary are as set out in the regulations. 2025, c. 15, s. 14.

14 to 19 repealed 2025, c. 15, s. 14.

Precedence over other honours

20 The Order is the highest honour of the Province and takes precedence over any other honour conferred by the His Majesty in right of the Province. 2001, c. 9, s. 20.

21 and 22 repealed 2025, c. 15, s. 14.

Prohibition

23 (1) No person who is not a member of the Order shall

(a) hold himself or herself out as a member of the Order;

(b) display or use any insignia of the Order to indicate membership in the Order; or

(c) use the initials "O. N. S." after that person's name to indicate membership in the Order.

(2) Any person who contravenes this Section is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than two thousand dollars. 2001, c. 9, s. 23.

Regulations

24 (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations

(a) respecting the powers and duties of the Chancellor;

(b) making the Chancellor a member of the Order;

(c) respecting the powers and duties of the Advisory Council;

(d) prescribing the terms of office of members of the Advisory Council;

(e) respecting the position of Secretary, including the powers, duties and appointment process of the Secretary;

(f) respecting eligibility conditions for membership in the Order;

(g) respecting nominations for membership in the Order;

(h) respecting procedures for appointing new members of the Order;

(i) respecting the terms of membership in the Order;

(j) respecting the rights of members of the Order;

(k) respecting documentation of membership in the Order;

(l) prescribing the insignia of the Order and governing their use and display;

(m) respecting the Seal of the Order and its use;

(n) respecting termination of membership in the Order;

(o) defining any word or expression used but not defined in this Act;

(p) respecting any other matter the Governor in Council considers necessary or advisable to carry out the intent and purpose of this Act.

(2) The exercise by the Governor in Council of the authority contained in subsection (1) is a regulation within the meaning of the Regulations Act. 2025, c. 15, s. 15.

Source of funding

25 The moneys required for the purpose of this Act shall be paid out of the General Revenue Fund of the Province. 2001, c. 9, s. 25; 2010, c. 2, s. 84.

Proclamation

26 This Act comes into force on such day as the Governor in Council orders and declares by proclamation. 2001, c. 9, s. 26.