September 23, 2025
The Nova Scotia Liberal Caucus is tabling three bills today focused on holding Nova Scotia Power to account, improving power reliability, and protecting children’s mental health in Nova Scotia. All three bills will be debated tomorrow during the Liberals’ Opposition Day.
Interim Liberal Leader Derek Mombourquette said the bills reflect the concerns he heard travelling across the province this summer.
“Nova Scotians expect better service and more accountability – especially when it comes to Nova Scotia Power,” said Mombourquette. “These bills are about putting people first, making sure our utility delivers more reliable service, and holding them to clear standards.”
The Electric Utility Reliability Standards Act, tabled by Derek Mombourquette, would make Nova Scotia Power and other utilities meet clear, enforceable reliability standards. It requires quarterly reporting on outages, their caucuses, and the actions being taken to prevent them in the future. Utilities would also be required to maintain detailed storm-preparedness and emergency response plans to keep power flowing during major weather events and to provide timely updates to customers.
The Electric Utility Capital Accountability and Transmission Competition Act, tabled by House Leader Iain Rankin, ensures that when Nova Scotia Power builds major projects, ratepayers aren’t left paying for unnecessary financial risk. It adjusts allowed profits based on the actual financing used and requires large transmission projects to go through a fair competitive bidding process. The goal is transparency, fairness, and better value for families and businesses across Nova Scotia.
The Social Media Responsibility Act, also tabled by Rankin, would require social media companies to take meaningful steps to keep children under 16 off age-restricted platforms. By reducing early exposure to harmful online content, the bill aims to protect young people and support their ability to focus on learning and healthy social development. Companies that fail to comply could face significant penalties.
“Nova Scotians shouldn’t have to pay more for utility projects than necessary, and our kids shouldn’t be exposed to harmful content online at a young age,” said Rankin. These bills put families first, hold Nova Scotia Power accountable, and give young people the protections they deserve.”