September 24, 2025
Nova Scotia Liberal MLAs will table a suite of bills today aimed at holding Nova Scotia Power accountable in the wake of one of the largest data breaches in the province’s history.
“Nova Scotia Power can’t be asking ratepayers for more money when they’ve just failed to protect the most sensitive personal information of thousands of Nova Scotians,” said Interim Leader Derek Mombourquette. “These bills are about ensuring transparency, accountability, and real protections for people – not more excuses from Nova Scotia Power.”
The legislative package includes three bills designed to strengthen accountability and give Nova Scotians better tools to protect their information.
The Private Data Protection Act, tabled by Mombourquette, would give Nova Scotians the ability to take legal action if their privacy is willfully violated, including through surveillance or data misuse.
Amendments to the Consumer Reporting Act, also tabled by Mombourquette, would give Nova Scotians the right to place a security alert or freeze on their credit files free of charge to help protect against identity theft.
The Nova Scotia Power Cybersecurity Transparency Act, tabled by Rankin, would require Nova Scotia Power to publicly report on its cybersecurity investments, breaches, and risks every year, with oversight from the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development. Importantly, the Act ensures that any fines imposed for failing to meet standards cannot be passed along to customers through higher power bills.
“These bills are about putting Nova Scotians first,” said Rankin. “Ratepayers shouldn’t be on the hook for Nova Scotia Power’s mistakes. People deserve to know that their data is protected, that breaches are taken seriously, and that accountability falls on the company – not on families who are already stretched paying their power bills.”