New Legislation Will Make Government More Transparent, Accountable

A new Conflict of Interest Act introduced today, Nov. 17, will make elected officials and public employees more accountable to the people they serve.

"This new legislation will provide the transparency that Nova Scotians deserve from their elected officials," said Deputy Premier Frank Corbett. "It's one more example of how we are putting the legislature back to work and making government more open accountable to Nova Scotians."

Highlights of the bill include:

• The Conflict of Interest Commissioner will post disclosure statements for every member of the House on a public website.
• Members will have to disclose assets and debts of more than $10,000, significantly lower than the $25,000 limit in the previous act.
• Members must also disclose the names of those who owe them a debt greater than $10,000, again changed from $25,000 in the previous act.
• As a general rule, members can't accept gifts, fees or other benefits as part of their work.
• Ministers and ministerial assistants cannot lobby government or accept a contract or benefit awarded by a government decision-maker for 12 months after leaving office. The restriction also applies to members and public employees for six months after leaving office.
• The same conflict of interest rules for Cabinet ministers will now also apply ministerial assistants.

"The act will ensure that there are clear rules and guidelines around how to separate private interests from the interests of government," said Mr. Corbett. "And it will give clearer instructions about what is considered a conflict while a member is in office, and for up to one year after leaving their position."

Since June 2009, a number of steps have been taken to make life better for Nova Scotia families by introducing new regulations for MLA expenses that are open and accountable. They include:

• freezing MLA and political staff salaries
• eliminating the $45,000 retirement allowance for MLAs
• eliminating the $2,500 technology fund available to each MLA and the $1,050 monthly allowance
• reducing the daily per diam rate for MLAs while sitting in the legislature to $38 per day from $84
• establishing the House of Assembly Management Commission, to hold meetings that are open to the public, and publish MLA expenses, financial information and other records online.