Latest news with #ServiceNovaScotia
Global News
06-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Nova Scotia fixed-term lease loophole to remain in place despite some abuse: official
A Nova Scotia government official says his department is aware that fixed-term leases are being abused by some landlords, but says legislative changes won't happen anytime soon out of fear of unintended consequences. Gary O'Toole, associate deputy minister of Service Nova Scotia, told a legislature committee today that before any changes can be made the department needs to understand what the long-term consequences will be. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy However, department official Melissa Mosher told the committee that there are no statistics to track the use of long-term leases or the number of evictions that result from them. O'Toole, meanwhile, was unable to give an example of an unintended consequence the government is trying to avoid. Landlords are able to get around the province's five-per-cent cap on rent increases if they rent a unit to a new tenant. Story continues below advertisement Mark Culligan, of Dalhousie Legal Aid, says the government's stance doesn't make any sense, saying he believes the use of fixed-term leases amounts to a 'handout' to landlords. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 6, 2025.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nova Scotia considers new rules for bar bouncers, justice minister says
The Nova Scotia government is considering new regulations for bouncers, according to Justice Minister Becky Druhan. It comes after some family members of loved ones who died outside bars criticized the province over accountability. Two of those family members called out the government at Province House last month for introducing a bill that would repeal legislation that hasn't been proclaimed within a decade, including the Security and Investigative Services Act that passed in 2010. Since the act has never been proclaimed it never took effect. It would have required all security officials working at bars and lounges in the province to have criminal background checks, training and be licensed. "The Department of Justice and Service Nova Scotia have been working together to consider what our next steps are," said Druhan. "We will be meeting with the families." The province implemented changes for bouncers at late-night bars, which have cabaret licences, following the death of Ryan Sawyer outside the Halifax Alehouse in 2022. Druhan wouldn't say if the latest changes under consideration are similar to those conditions. Family confirms meeting scheduled Ryan Sawyer's mother, Lee, was one of the family members who spoke in front of MLAs in March. She told MLAs at the time she can't understand why the government hasn't proclaimed the Security and Investigative Services Act or come up with a replacement. The rules introduced after her son's death don't go far enough and only apply to a handful of bars, Sawyer said at the time. She confirmed with CBC News she's meeting with government officials at the end of the month, but said via text message she hasn't been told what will be discussed. Ryan Sawyer, far left, died after an altercation with a bouncer outside the Halifax Alehouse in 2022. His mother, Lee Sawyer is shown on the far right. She criticized the province last month for not proclaiming potential life-saving legislation. (Scott and Lee Sawyer) B.C., Alberta, Quebec and Ontario have legislation regarding bouncers and security staff. The family of Stephen Giffin lobbied successive governments after he died after being beaten by bouncers outside a downtown bar in 1999. That effort continued until the Security and Investigative Services Act passed 11 years later. Giffin's family said it only learned the legislation had not been proclaimed after Ryan Sawyer died under similar circumstances. MORE TOP STORIES
