Adoption Issue Referred to Law Commission

The government of Nova Scotia has decided to refer the issue of adoption information to the province's Law Reform Commission before further debate in the House, Community Services Minister Peter Christie announced today.

"We are committed to improving access to adoption information in Nova Scotia and we introduced legislation knowing that this is a very emotional and personal issue," said Mr. Christie. "It is extremely difficult to find a balance in law that will meet the personal needs of all those people affected by the release of adoption information."

Mr. Christie said Bill 17, an Act to amend the Adoption Information Act of 1996, was designed to strike the best possible balance between the right to know and the right to privacy related to the release of adoption information. Such information is available now through a facilitated process at the Department of Community Services.

Amendments to the bill were introduced to be sensitive to the needs of all Nova Scotians, as expressed in letters, public debate and through the law amendments process, he said.

However, in view of the ongoing debate on the issue, the minister of justice has agreed to refer this issue to the province's Law Reform Commission for study and report, Mr. Christie said. The commission advises government on how to improve, modernize or reform legislation.

"We are prepared to take extra pains to get it right, so we are asking this well-respected law reform commission to examine the issue, to help us strike that balance," he said. "On this emotionally charged and difficult issue we listened to all sides, and are willing to seek more expert advice before we enshrine anything in law."

Bill 17 has helped advance the public debate on adoption information, Mr. Christie added.

"All members of the legislature, and indeed the public, have a better appreciation for the depth of feeling and the complexity of this issue."

The government will continue to work to improve access to adoption information through the existing services at the Department of Community Services, Mr. Christie said.