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Through legislation filed today, October 20, to complete the transition of the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation and the Municipal Finance Corporation under the Department of Finance and Treasury Board, the Province will increase efficiency, accountability, and decrease duplication. “The Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation and its staff do critical work to ensure the Province has a well-managed, socially responsible gaming business, and that important role will continue.”
“By making the employees who conduct and oversee gaming part of government, our goal is to decrease duplication of tasks, increase efficiency, and bring Nova Scotia into line with other Atlantic jurisdictions. My department extends a cordial welcome to these personnel and those from the Municipal Finance Corporation. The following changes to Part I of the Gaming Control Act are proposed:
transferring management and control of the gaming corporation to the minister of finance and the Treasury Board, eliminating the board of directors and the CEO position, and classifying the corporation’s employees as civil servants with the Department providing support for the corporation’s operations.
By repealing the Municipal Finance Organization Act and dissolving the corporation, the Municipal Finance Corporation Dissolution Act transfers the corporation’s assets, obligations, and staff to the Province.
The provisions of the Finance Act that provide funding of local governments and local government companies by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Finance Committee will be modified. The City Government Act and the Halifax Local Government Charter were modified as a result. Ministries and agencies were instructed to assess the function, effectiveness, and efficiency of governmental offices, agencies, and crown corporations in September 2021. In July, results were made public.