Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Finance Act (RSNS 1989 c 165)
Finance Act RSNS 1989 c 165 (nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/finance.pdf, HTTP 200); Financial Measures (2024) Act SNS 2024; Auditor General Act RSNS 1989 c 23; Procurement Act SNS 2011 c 12
Nova Scotia's fiscal transparency framework is governed by the Finance Act (RSNS 1989 c 165, nslegislature.ca confirmed HTTP 200 for finance.pdf), which governs the Consolidated Fund, financial administration, and public accounts. The Auditor General (Auditor General Act RSNS 1989 c 23) is an independent officer of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly conducting financial, compliance, and value-for-money audits. NS has NO standalone IFI. The Procurement Act (SNS 2011 c 12) governs public procurement. Public sector salary disclosure exists under the Public Bodies' Disclosure of Salaries Act RSNS 1989 c 380 for senior public sector employees. Fiscal year: April 1 to March 31.
Transparency Requirements
Budget Publicationmax 12 pts
| Budget publication required | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|
| Budget published online | ✓ Yes |
| Budget publication timeline | — |
| Machine-readable budget format | — |
| Draft budget required before adoption | ✓ Yes |
Expenditure Disclosuremax 12 pts
| Expenditure disclosure required | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|
| Expenditure granularity | department |
| Public expenditure portal required | — |
| Expenditure reporting frequency | annual |
Independent Auditmax 12 pts
| Audit required | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|
| Auditor independent of entity | ✓ Yes |
| Auditor selection method | appointed independent |
| Audit frequency | annual |
| Audit reports public | ✓ Yes |
| Audit scope | financial performance |
Contract & Procurementmax 10 pts
| Public bidding required | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|
| Contract publication required | ✓ Yes |
| Bid award disclosure | ✓ Yes |
| Beneficial ownership disclosure | No |
Debt & Liability Disclosuremax 10 pts
| Debt disclosure required | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|
| Pension liability disclosure | ✓ Yes |
| Contingent liability disclosure | ✓ Yes |
| Voter approval required for new debt | No |
Fiscal Reporting Frequencymax 10 pts
| Interim reporting required | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|
| Interim reporting frequency | quarterly |
| Year-end report deadline | 180 days after fiscal year |
| Citizens budget required | — |
Enforcement & Oversightmax 10 pts
| Non-compliance penalties | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|
| Fiscal oversight body | No |
| Whistleblower protections | ✓ Yes |
| Legislative budget office | No |
Revenue & Tax Transparencymax 8 pts
| Tax expenditure reporting | — |
|---|---|
| Revenue forecasting required | ✓ Yes |
| Tax rate publication | ✓ Yes |
| Fee schedule publication | ✓ Yes |
Compensation & Payrollmax 8 pts
| Salary disclosure required | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|
| Salary disclosure scope | executives |
| Pension benefit disclosure | — |
| Overtime reporting | — |
Capital & Asset Disclosuremax 8 pts
| Capital plan required | ✓ Yes |
|---|---|
| Asset inventory required | — |
| Surplus asset disposal transparency | — |