Regulating Private Security in Nova Scotia - Update

In January of 2007 the Nova Scotia Department of Justice published the Discussion Paper “Regulating Private Security in Nova Scotia“ and requested industry stakeholders input via questionnaire in the creation of new legislation to govern Nova Scotia’s Private Security Industry. Questionnaire results were published in April 2007.

In July 2007 the Security and Investigators Alliance of Nova Scotia (SIA) was formed in response to concerns expressed by government that there was not a single representative voice for the Security Industry of Nova Scotia.

SIA was formed as an Ad Hoc committee representing:
The Canadian Security Association
The Council of Private Investigators – Atlantic Canada
Canadian Association of Private Investigators
Canadian Society for Industrial Security
American Society for Industrial Security
Commissionaires Nova Scotia

In 2008, the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators was added as a member of SIA.

CANASA has provided leadership in the formation of the committee and our representative has been chairperson of the committee since its inception.

Since its inception, SIA has worked cooperatively with Department of Justice staff with the clear intent to assist in creation of the best possible legislation for Nova Scotia.

Over the past 31 months SIA has provided input in the form of written submissions, face to face discussions, and presentations, meetings with stakeholders, and question and answer sessions.

To date, we have been disappointed with the lack of acceptance of the recommendations of the SIA committee.

For details of SIA’s most recent discussions with Nova Scotia Minister of Justice, The Hon. Ross Landry, and the key issues with the proposed legislation expected, please visit member’s section of the Atlantic Chapter web page at canasa.org.

It appears that the Government of Nova Scotia is preparing to reintroduce legislation in the spring 2010 session of the Legislature that is substantially unchanged from the legislation previously proposed in the fall 2008 session and the spring 2009 session which was defeated based on SIA’s efforts.

SIA continues to work on behalf of CANASA members to affect changes to proposed legislation. Ongoing meetings with Department of Justice staff are scheduled. SIA has prepared a presentation for the Law Amendments committee of Government, in the event that the proposed legislation passes 2nd reading in the Legislative Assembly. Press releases have been prepared should the industry’s concerns need to be brought to the public forum.

For further information, please contact Don Budden – (SIA Chair, CANASA National Board) at (902) 481-2889.