Nova Scotia

VII

Government

Nova Scotia has a parliamentary system of government that is similar in structure and powers to those of other Canadian provinces. It consists of a lieutenant governor, a cabinet composed of a premier and about 20 other ministers, and an elected legislature. All citizens 18 years of age and older may vote.

A

National Representation

Nova Scotia is represented in the Canadian Parliament by 11 elected representatives in the House of Commons and by 10 senators, appointed by the federal government, in the Senate.

B

Executive

The nominal head of government is the lieutenant governor, who is appointed by the federal government and represents the British monarch. Real power resides in the premier, who is the leader of the political party or coalition of parties that holds a majority of seats in the legislature. The premier appoints a cabinet, or executive council, from among the members of the legislature. These cabinet members head the various government departments. The premier and cabinet must resign if they lose the confidence of a majority in the legislature.

C

Legislature

Nova Scotia’s unicameral (single-chamber) legislature, or House of Assembly, consists of 52 popularly elected members. The members serve for five years unless early elections are called by the lieutenant governor, on the advice of the premier, or in the event the government loses a vote of confidence. The legislature meets annually in regular sessions, each lasting several weeks. Established in 1758, the House of Assembly is the oldest elected legislative body in Canada.

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D

Judiciary

The highest provincial court is the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, with 11 justices. The court hears appeals from lower criminal and civil courts in the province. The Supreme Court of Nova Scotia is the highest trial court in the province, with authority to try a wide range of criminal and civil matters. There are 25 justices on the Supreme Court, including a chief justice and associate chief justice. All justices of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court are appointed by the federal government.

Nova Scotia has various provincial courts. The most important of these are the Family Court, which hears issues relating to the family, and the Provincial Court, which hears most criminal proceedings involving persons aged 16 or older. The province also has a Bankruptcy Court, Probate Court, and Small Claims Court.

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