Bill 127: Protecting Nova Scotians Act

The bill touches several types of Nova Scotia businesses. Funeral homes that offer cremation services face the most direct new obligations — they must now properly identify remains before cremation, maintain their retort equipment, use approved containers, offer next-of-kin a chance to visually identify remains, and keep detailed written records; smaller independent operators will feel these compliance requirements as much as larger firms. Liquor-licensed establishments (bars, restaurants, event venues) operating in Nova Scotia will need to ensure their security staff meet new prescribed standards starting June 1, 2026, including possible criminal background checks, which affects any owner who employs bouncers or door staff. Any business in Nova Scotia that currently collects Social Insurance Numbers from customers or clients — such as financial services firms, landlords, or employers in certain industries — will need to review whether that collection is legally permitted once the Social Insurance Number Protection Act is proclaimed, with fines up to $500,000 for corporations that collect SINs without authorization. Landlords renting residential units in Nova Scotia where a domestic violence victim is a tenant face new obligations around allowing that tenant to re-enter a lease on the same terms after terminating due to domestic violence.