BILL NO. 17

(as passed, with amendments)

1st Session, 59th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
53 Elizabeth II, 2004

Private Member's Bill

Youth Secretariat Act
(amended)

CHAPTER 18 OF THE ACTS OF 2004

Russell MacKinnon
Cape Breton West

First Reading: October 9, 2003 (LINK TO BILL AS INTRODUCED)

Second Reading: October 28, 2003

Third Reading: May 7, 2004 (WITH COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS)

Royal Assent: May 20, 2004

1 The title of Chapter 511 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Youth Secretariat Act, is amended by striking out "and Development" in the second line and substituting ", Development and Delivery".

2 Section 3 of Chapter 511 is amended by

(a) striking out clause (a) and substituting the following clauses:

(a) facilitate the planning, development and delivery of services and programs for youth;

(aa) heighten awareness of the needs and aspirations of youth;

(b) adding immediately after clause (b) the following clause:

(ba) consult with youth on matters that affect youth, including legislation, regulations, policy or programs;

and

(c) striking out clauses (d) to (f).

3 Section 4 of Chapter 511 is repealed and the following Section substituted:

4 (1) The Governor in Council shall assign responsibility for the Secretariat to a member of the Executive Council.

(2) The Secretariat consists of the member of the Executive Council referred to in subsection (1).

4 Chapter 511 is further amended by adding immediately after Section 7 the following Sections:

7A In carrying out the duties of the Secretariat, the Secretariat shall work closely with the Departments of Education, Health, Community Services, Justice, Environment and Labour, Economic Development, the Office of Health Promotion and voluntary youth-serving organizations.

7B The duties of the Secretariat are to

(a) undertake research to identify and study matters with respect to youth and make recommendations based on the findings of the research;

(b) collect and disseminate information to the public with respect to youth or youth-serving organizations;

(c) publish reports, studies and surveys with respect to youth;

(d) propose legislation, policies or programs to achieve the objects of this Act;

(e) co-ordinate the development and delivery of policies and programs respecting youth with other government departments, governments and community-based organizations;

(f) deliver programs for youth or for the benefit of youth;

(g) provide support and co-ordination to and liaison with advisory bodies such as the Nova Scotia Youth Advisory Council and the Provincial Student Education Council on the development of programs and services for youth;

(h) review or participate in the review of programs and services delivered to or on behalf of youth by other government departments;

(i) promote the awareness of youth issues within the government; and

(j) support programs and activities that recognize the contribution youth make to the community.

5 Chapter 511 is further amended by adding immediately after Section 8 the following Section:

8A (1) The Nova Scotia Youth Advisory Council shall prepare an annual report of its activities and submit the report to the member of the Executive Council charged with the administration of this Act.

(2) The member of the Executive Council assigned responsibility for the Secretariat shall table the report referred to in subsection (1) in the House of Assembly, if the House is sitting, and, if the House is not sitting, the report shall be filed with the Chief Clerk of the House.