Nova Scotia Regulation 211/2025 introduces amendments to the Code of Conduct for Elected Officials Regulations, N.S. Reg. 218/2024, under the authority of subsection 383(1) of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter. The amendments refine procedural and substantive aspects of the Code to clarify timelines, responsibilities, and investigative processes for complaints concerning council members.

The regulation introduces a revised Section 6, setting specific requirements for investigators responsible for handling complaints under the Code. Investigators must possess relevant experience in conducting investigations while applying the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness. They are required to consolidate multiple complaints regarding the same subject matter, unless doing so would compromise fairness. The amendment further mandates that the Municipality make an investigator’s contact information publicly accessible and take steps to prevent conflicts of interest between the investigator and the parties involved in any complaint. These changes aim to strengthen transparency and ensure impartiality in the complaint process.

Section 7, addressing complaints, is replaced with new provisions that narrow the ability to submit complaints exclusively to council members. Complaints cannot be submitted on behalf of others, emphasizing personal accountability in reporting potential breaches of the Code. Complaints must be filed with an investigator within six months of discovery, with “discovery” defined in three specific ways: the date the council member first knew or reasonably should have known of the conduct, the cessation of continuous conduct, or the last occurrence in a series of repeated actions. These clarifications provide clear parameters for the timely submission of complaints, balancing procedural fairness with accountability.

Additional minor amendments refine language throughout the regulations. Section 13 is adjusted for grammatical accuracy by adding “and” after “occurred,” while clauses 18(1)(g) and (k) include “of” to improve readability and precision. Schedule “A” is also updated, including inserting “is” in the definition of “confidential information” and “the” in subsection 18(4), ensuring clarity and consistency in the interpretation of key terms.

Overall, N.S. Reg. 211/2025 strengthens the Code of Conduct framework by emphasizing clarity, fairness, and procedural integrity in addressing complaints against elected officials. By specifying investigator qualifications, consolidating complaint procedures, restricting who may submit complaints, and defining discovery timelines, the amendments aim to foster transparency, accountability, and public trust in municipal governance. The attention to language and procedural detail reflects a broader effort to ensure that council members adhere to ethical standards while providing a fair and accessible process for investigating alleged breaches. These measures collectively reinforce the principles underlying the Halifax Regional Municipality’s Code of Conduct, creating a more robust and clearly defined regulatory environment for elected officials.

Nova Scotia (211/2025) October 21, 2025
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