Government Information

The official website of the Government of Nova Scotia offers government information and services for residents, visitors, and businesses.

The Government Directory provides links to the websites of all NS Government Departments and Agencies.

The Legislative Branch of the provincial government consists of the Lieutenant Governor and the House of Assembly (also referred to as the Legislative Assembly).

The Debates and Proceedings of the House of Assembly are the verbatim record of what was said in the House of Assembly and in the Committees of the House. The Debates are available:

1. On the NS Legislature website (Oct 27, 1994 to present)
2. Early Canadiana Online (1855-1867)
3. In the library's print Government Document Collection (2CP NS P 3.1 - 1871, 1882, 1912-13, 1971-1994)

The Journals and Proceedings of the House of Assembly are the minutes of the activities of the House of Assembly. The Journals are available:

1. On the NS Legislature website (March 27, 2003 to May 12, 2006)
2. Early Canadiana Online (1767-1867)
3. In the library's print Government Document Collection (2CP NS P 3.2 - 1850-2005/06; some years missing)

Learn more about the Procedures and Practices of the NS Legislature.

The Legislative Council existed from 1838 to 1928. It was the upper house of the NS Legislature, originating from the Nova Scotia Council. Council Journals are available:

1. Early Canadiana Online (1836-1866)
2. In the library's print Government Document Collection (2CP NS P 2.2 - 1847-1919, some years missing)

Statutes

• also called Laws or Acts
• Statutes are Bills that have passed 3 readings and committee study and have received Royal Assesnt

Statutes are available in the library's print Government Document Collection (2CP NS P 3.3) for the following years: 1758-1835, 1854, 1856, 1876, 1880-81, 1883-86, 1894-1908, 1910-2010.

The Index of Private and Local Acts 1758-2009 is online and in our print Government Document Collection.

The following statutes are available online:

• 1758-1835
• Perpetual Acts 1767-1791
• Temporary Acts 1767-1791
• 1817-1838
• 1839-1851
• 1852-1867

More information, including Consolidated Public Statutes to December 2012, Statutes by Session 1995/96 to present, and a citation guide can be found on the NS Legislature website.

Watch the current session of the House of Assembly on video.