Showing 938 results

The Nova Scotia Physiotherapy Association (NSPA) is a professional healthcare organization and a branch of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA). Its role is to promote excellence in practice, serve as the voice and advocate for physiotherapists, physiotherapy residents, physiotherapy assistants and students across Nova Scotia. The Association is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors supported by an Executive Committee and two standing committees. Members who join CPA automatically become members of NSPA. Officially registered under the current name in 2009, it was previously known as the Nova Scotia Branch of the national association as far back as 1977. The Canadian Physiotherapy Association was founded in 1920.

The first post office in Canada was established in Halifax in 1754. By 1783, seven more post offices had been established in the colony: Sydney, Annapolis, Digby, Shelburne, New Edinburgh, Windsor, and Wolfville. Until the outbreak of the War of 1812, the main internal mail route in the colony was between Halifax and Annapolis Royal, from where the mail from New Brunswick and the Canadas was sent forward. In the early 1800s, as was the case in the other colonies, the Nova Scotia Post Office was under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Postmaster General. The friction that developed in the Canadas between the legislatures and the Imperial Postal Service was not present in Nova Scotia, primarily because the legislature had appointed a committee to work with the deputy postmaster general. By 1817, there were established mail routes through the western counties to Yarmouth and Shelburne, from Halifax to the New Brunswick border, and from Truro to Pictou and Antigonish. Nova Scotia took a leading role in the negotiations that lead to the assumption of colonial responsibility for postal service in 1851. After Confederation, in 1867, postal services became a responsibility of the federal government.

The Nova Scotia Pulpwood Marketing Board was established by statute in 1972 to register associations as bargaining agents for producers or buyers of pulpwood and to investigate all matters relating to the marketing of pulpwood. Subsequent legislation in 1986 broadened the mandate of the board and changed its name to the Nova Scotia Primary Forest Products Marketing Board.

The Program Development Agency was established by Order in Council on 22 January 1968. The agency's primary role was to implement planned economic programs for Nova Scotia. It was responsible to a cabinet committee composed of the ministers of finance and economics, trade and industry, fisheries, and agriculture and marketing, as well as other ministers named by the president of the Executive Council. The agency undertook, appraised, and evaluated studies, reports, and plans relating to economic development; advised the cabinet committee on development strategies; prepared, organized, and implemented programs of economic development; and coordinated economic policy and development activities of the provincial government.

The Provincial Electoral Boundaries Commission was appointed by Order in Council on 16 July 1991 to consider the report of the Select Committee on Establishing an Electoral Boundaries Commission, presented to the House of Assembly on 3 July 1991. After public consultation, the commission used the terms of reference established by the committee to devise boundaries for the provincial electoral districts. The boundaries were to allow effective representation balanced with equality of population; recognition of community, geographical and historical interests; and at the same time ensure the adequate representation of minorities, including Acadian, African-Canadian, and Mi'kmaq peoples. The commission, under the chairmanship of Ronald G. Landes, was created by an all-party agreement and was the first non-partisan independent body created in Nova Scotia to distribute provincial electoral seats. The commission reported on 6 March 1992.

The Provincial Exhibition Commission was incorporated in 1896 to provide an annual agricultural and industrial exhibition in Halifax for the province of Nova Scotia. The commission replaced the Halifax Exhibition Commission, incorporated in 1894, which went out of business. The new commission was instituted under the joint auspices of the provincial government and the City of Halifax. By 1937 it was known as the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Commission. In addition to arranging the annual exhibition, other activities of the commission included managing the prize list for the exhibition, purchasing property and erecting buildings for its exhibitions, and organizing other recreational and educational events on its grounds. The commission was disbanded by the early 1940s.

In 1946 the Central Nova Scotia Exhibition Commission was incorporated by provincial statute to hold an annual agricultural and industrial exhibition for Colchester County, its headquarters located in Truro. Its name changed to the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Commission in 1957 and its mandate broadened to provide an exhibition for the province of Nova Scotia. Other activities of the commission have included managing the prize list for the provincial exhibition, purchasing property and erecting exhibition buildings, organizing other educational and recreational events on its grounds, and overseeing the Truro Raceway.

The Provincial Forest Practices Improvement Board was established in 1968 under an amendment to the Forest Improvement Act. The mandate of the board, as set out in legislation in 1972, was to encourage better forest management practices in Nova Scotia through education, advocacy and enforcement of the Forest Improvement Act, to prepare a manual of good forestry practice, and to establish educational programs relating to forestry. However, key sections of the act giving the board wide powers to control tree cutting remained unproclaimed until December 1976. In 1980 the board published a manual, The Trees Around Us: A Manual of Good Forest Practice for Nova Scotia. In 1986, the board was replaced by the Nova Scotia Forestry Advisory Council.

A Provincial Treasurer to superintend public finances was first appointed in 1750. The treasurer was an officer of state and member of the (Executive) Council and afterwards, like the Attorney General and Provincial Secretary, a department of government. In 1849 the office of treasurer was abolished and replaced by Financial Secretary and Receiver General (cashier). In 1867 these offices were abolished and the treasurer restored. From 1878 to 1946 the Provincial Secretary was ex officio Provincial Treasurer. In 1942 the first modern Provincial Finance Act was passed. In 1962 the Department of the Provincial Treasurer assumed responsibility for economic policy development and was renamed Finance and Economics. In 1971 the department shed its responsibility for economics and was renamed Department of Finance

The public inquiry on municipal boundaries and municipal representation was set up in June 1962 in response to the phenomenon of rapid suburbanization. Sole commissioner was William Daniel Outhit QC, chair of the Public Utilities Board. The inquiry was to investigate whether there should be a periodic review of municipal boundaries and electoral districts and, if so, whether existing legislation was sufficient for their adjustment; whether there should be a metropolitan authority such as would be established for the municipalities comprising Halifax County in 1978; and generally the impact of municipal boundaries and representation on the provision of municipal public services. The inquiry reported in March 1963. Though its recommendation to establish a new permanent and independent municipal board was not acted upon until 1981, the Outhit Report led directly to passage of the Municipal Boundaries and Representation Act of 1964.

Established in 1909, the Public Utilities Board was Nova Scotia's most important administrative tribunal. The board supervised and regulated all organizations, both public and private, supplying water, gas or electrical energy to communities, as well as telecommunications. In 1923 it began to regulate public transport (motor carriers). In 1934 it assumed responsibility for administering the Gasoline Licensing Act and in 1964 for administering the Salvage Yards Licensing Act. In 1992 the Public Utilities Board was merged in the new Utility and Review Board.

The Nova Scotia Music Teachers' Association was formed in Halifax in 1937 by members of the Canadian College of Organists and piano teachers. The association was incorporated in 1940 and its name changed to Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers' Association in 1969. The association aims to promote and maintain professional standards for music teachers in Nova Scotia, to promote progressive ideas on teaching music, to foster public interest, and to provide social activities for its members. Its accomplishments include introducing licenses for music teachers, revising school music curricula, and sponsoring recitals and programs including "Young Canadians Make Music" and "Young Artists". The association has local chapters and is also affiliated with the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers' Associations.

The Registrar of Joint Stock Companies is responsible for the incorporation and registration of companies, partnerships, societies and associations under a variety of provincial statutes. The Nova Scotia Companies Act of 1900 established the office, which was afterwards assigned to the deputy Provincial Secretary. Since the late 1960s, however, a separate agent has been appointed Registrar of Joint Stock Companies. The Registry has two basic functions. It records information on companies, created under the Nova Scotia Companies Act, and other corporate bodies created under various acts of the Nova Scotia Legislature, as well as registering such entities, and those created in other jurisdictions, as being licensed to operate in Nova Scotia.

Although entries in the Halifax deed books were made as early as 1749, the Registry of Deeds was not established until February 3, 1752, when an Order in Council required the registration of all deeds, memorials of deeds, conveyances, and mortgages pertaining to land with the Registrar in Halifax. As additional counties were created, registrars, with a degree of independence, were appointed in each county. From 1787 to 1847, the Provincial Secretary acted as the Registrar of Deeds with Deputy Registrars and offices in each of the counties and districts. Subsequently, each county and district office had its own Registrar of Deeds, although general responsibility for the registries remained with the Provincial Secretary. On January 22, 1991 an Order in Council (91-73) brought the registries and their staff into the civil service as part of the Courts and Registries Division of the Department of the Attorney General. On April 12, 1994 responsibility was transferred by Order in Council (94-292) to the Department of Municipal Affairs, later known as Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

The Nova Scotia Revaluation Commission was created by Order-in-Council dated August 29, 1956 based on a recommendation from the Minister of Education. T. Aubrey Pugsley of Chester, NS, was appointed chairperson with D.M. MacDonnell of Canso, and Hugh S. MacGlashen of Dartmouth appointed as co-commissioners. Its mandate was to examine the assessments of the cities, towns and municipalities of Nova Scotia and determine the full value, for assessment purposes, of all property which is liable to municipal taxation under the Assessment Act. This was done for the purposes of the Education Act. The Commission visited all 66 municipal units of government over 2 years. It submitted its final report to Government on November 24, 1958 and then disbanded.

The Nova Scotia Rifle Association was organized in 1861 and the first prize meeting was held on October 1st and 2nd of that year. At that time, the association was affiliated with the National Rifle Association of Great Britain. In 1862 the matches moved to Truro, where 112 competitors vied for the Inter-colonial Cup. From 27 August 1866 onward the annual matches took place at the Bedford Range. Prizes were originally granted from donations received from the Government of Nova Scotia, with cups from the Ladies of Halifax and Major Cogswell. After Confederation there was a decline in the numbers of competitors due to political agitation subsequent to the creation of Canada. In 1887 the first revolver match was held. The association was still active as of 2010.

The Royal Commission Appointed to Inquire into the Upheaval or Fall or Other Disturbance Sometimes Referred to as a Bump in No. 2 Mine at Springhill, in the County of Cumberland, Province of Nova Scotia, Operated by the Cumberland Railway and Coal Company, on the 23rd Day of October, A.D. 1958 was established by Order in Council on 12 December 1958. Donald McInnes (Chair), Harry Wilton-Clark, and Thomas McLachlan were appointed commissioners. The commission was mandated to inquire into the actual disturbance (the “bump”), determine what further investigation should be made to determine the origin of such bumps, to investigate whether approved mining and work practices were followed, whether these practices contributed to the disaster, and whether or not mine operations were conducted in compliance with the Coal Mines Regulation Act. Four days of public hearings were conducted in Springhill between 26 January 1959 and 30 January 1959. Over the course of these hearings, commissioners accepted presentations from 38 witnesses and 50 exhibits. The commission submitted its report on the 25th of August, 1959.

The Nova Scotia Royal Commission Concerning Jails in the Province of Nova Scotia, also known as the Campbell Commission, was created on December 29, 1931. Alexander J. Campbell, senior lawyer in Truro, was appointed chairperson along with Reverend Charles F. Curran of Halifax, Dr. Samuel W. Williamson of Yarmouth, Justice A.D. Campbell of Sydney and Professor S.H. Prince of Halifax as co-commissioners. Its mandate was to investigate and make recommendations for improvement of the conditions of all jails and their administration in the province. The Royal Commission held 40 public and private meetings attended by 1000 citizens, received evidence from over 200 witnesses, and consulted with municipal officials, supreme court judges, police, and leading world experts. They conducted visits of inspection to all jails, and many lock-ups and police stations in 24 towns across Nova Scotia. They visited other jails, reformatories and penal institutions in Ontario and Quebec, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The Commission found that generally existing accommodations in jails were unfit for human habitation, and among their recommendations suggested the establishment of a central provincial institution based on a prison farm model, not sending women to male facilities, and better community support for released inmates. The Royal Commission submitted its report to Government in 1933 and then disbanded.

The Nova Scotia Royal Commission Appointed to Inquire into the Upheaval or Fall or Other Disturbance Sometimes Referred to as a Bump in No. 2 Mine at Springhill, in the County of Cumberland, Province of Nova Scotia, Operated by the Cumberland Railway and Coal Company, on the 23rd Day of October, A.D. 1958 was created by Order-in-Council on December 12, 1958. Donald McInnes, Queens Counsel lawyer in Halifax, was appointed chairperson with Harry Wilton-Clark of Calgary, AB, and Thomas McLachlan of Glace Bay, NS appointed as co-commissioners. The Royal Commission was mandated to inquire into the actual disturbance (the “bump”) in the mine, determine if approved mining and work practices were being followed and if those contributed to the disaster, and whether mine operations were conducted in compliance with the Coal Mines Regulation Act. Four days of public hearings were conducted in Springhill between 26 January 1959 and 30 January 1959. Over the course of these hearings, commissioners accepted presentations from 38 witnesses and 50 exhibits. The Commission contacted departments of government at Ottawa and Halifax to learn from their experiences. It submitted its Final Report on June 30, 1959 and then disbanded.

The Nova Scotia Royal Commission to Investigate the Operation of the Provincial Laboratory at the Agricultural College at Truro was created by Order-in-Council dated January 25, 1963. Robert E. Inglis was appointed sole Commissioner. His mandate was to investigate possible irregularities with respect to the use of equipment, furnishings, chemicals and supplies at the Provincial Lab between the years 1951 and 1962. Public hearings were held in Truro, NS on May 1 to 6, 1963. Commissioner Inglis submitted his final report to Government on May 22, 1963 and the commission disbanded.

The Nova Scotia Royal Commission Appointed to Inquire into the Explosion and Fire in No. 4 Mine at Springhill, NS on the 1st Day of November 1956, was created by Order-in-Council on January 10, 1957 under the Public Inquiries Act of 1954. Donald McInnes, Queens Council lawyer in Halifax, was appointed chairperson with G.A. Vissac of Montreal, PQ and J.E. Griffith of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA, appointed co-commissioners. Its mandate was to investigate the explosion and subsequent fires in No. 4 mine operated by the Cumberland Railway and Coal Company, to determine whether any defect in the mine or mode of working the mine contributed to the explosion, and whether mine operations were conducted in compliance with the Coal Mines Regulation Act. Public hearings were held at Springhill from February 11 to 15, and June 16 to 19, 1957, including an inspection of the mine by all stakeholders. 56 witnesses gave testimony, and 85 documents were submitted as evidence. The Commission submitted its final report to His Honor Alistair Fraser, Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, on November 13, 1957 and then disbanded.

The Nova Scotia Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Nova Scotia Franchise was created by Order-in-Council on January 22, 1934. Justice Hugh Ross was appointed commissioner. Its mandate was to investigate the conduct of the Returning Officers, Registrars, and Revising Officers in the City of Halifax, Kings County, and Pictou County during the 1933 provincial election, and to review the methods used for preparing electoral lists of citizens eligible to vote. The Royal Commission held hearings in Halifax, New Glasgow, and Kentville from January 29 to February 27, 1934. The Final Report was submitted to Government on April 11, 1934 and the commission disbanded.

The Nova Scotia Royal Commission on Automobile Insurance was created by Order-in-Council dated April 6, 1955 and amended on July 25, 1956. The April commission appointed Justice Eugene T. Parker, a judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, as sole commissioner, with Professor Wilfred Berman, of Dalhousie University, as statistician and Robert F. McLellan, Queens Counsel lawyer in Truro, as counsel for the Commission. Its mandate was to review all matters relating to insurance against liability for loss or damage to an automobile or to persons or property caused by an automobile, including a comparison with other jurisdictions, the possible need for compulsory auto insurance, and the practicality of establishing a provincially owned insurance department. Four days of public hearings were held at Halifax starting July 25, 1955, as well as informal meetings with insurance industry and other stakeholders. In August 1955 the Royal Commission visited Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia for their experiences. Commissioner Parker resigned on December 2, 1955 due to ill health. The July 1956 Order-in-Council appointed Horace E. Read, Dean of Law at Dalhousie University Halifax, as chairperson with Professor Berman and Robert F. McLellan as co-commissioners. The mandate remained the same. In August 1956, the new Commission visited Maine and Massachusetts, USA, and in October 1956 held meetings with officials in New York state. They held more public hearings in Sydney and Yarmouth, NS, in September 1956, visited Ottawa and Toronto, and held informal meetings in Halifax with highway traffic specialists, government officials, and representatives from insurance companies, the adjusters’ association, and the automobile dealers’ association, ending in August 1957. Commissioner Read submitted their final report to His Honor Alistair Fraser, Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, on September 30, 1957 and the commission disbanded.

The Nova Scotia Royal Commission on the Conduct of Charles A. Lohnes, of the Town of Mahone Bay, Lunenburg County, in his office as Stipendiary Magistrate for the town was created by Order-in-Council on July 12, 1939 under the Public Inquiries Act of 1923. Mr. John A.Y. MacDonald, barrister-at-law, was appointed commissioner. A hearing was held in Mahone Bay on August 31, 1939, where 12 witnesses gave testimony. Commissioner MacDonald’s final report was submitted to Government on November 3, 1939 and the commission disbanded.

The Nova Scotia Royal Commission on Education, Public Services and Provincial-Municipal Relations was created by Order in Council on 31 March 1971 (#71-291). Professor John F. Graham of Dalhousie University was appointed chairperson along with Edwin C. Harris, accountant and lawyer in Halifax, and Charles E. Walters, former Lunenburg County Councilor, as co-commissioners. Their terms of reference were 1) to inquire generally into the provision of education and other public services in the Province of Nova Scotia, 2) to report to the Governor in Council the evidence and findings of such an inquiry and 3) to recommend the means whereby these services might best be provided. The commission issued questionnaires, received written and oral briefs and submissions, and conducted extensive research, hearings, and interviews. In the 3 years that the Commission did its work it received 575 written submissions and 394 presentations at 39 public hearings held from September 20, 1971 to January 12, 1972 at 25 towns throughout Nova Scotia. Additionally, the Commission held 142 private meetings with interested parties from June 16, 1971 to March 21, 1972. The Commission presented its multi-volume report to His Honour Victor DeB. Oland, Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, on June 27, 1974 and then disbanded.